Hook (1991)

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers (WGA):

J.M. Barrie (books)
J.M. Barrie (play)

Release Date:

11 December 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

What if Peter Pan grew up?

Plot:

When Capt. Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy.

Plot Keywords:

Hook | Peter Pan | Captain | Reverse Footage | Pirate

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Dustin Hoffman	...	Capt. Hook
Robin Williams	...	Peter Banning
Julia Roberts	...	Tinkerbell
Bob Hoskins	...	Smee
Maggie Smith	...	Granny Wendy
Caroline Goodall	...	Moira Banning
Charlie Korsmo	...	Jack 'Jackie' Banning
Amber Scott	...	Maggie Banning
Laurel Cronin	...	Liza, Wendy's Housekeeper
Phil Collins	...	Inspector Good
Arthur Malet	...	Tootles
Isaiah Robinson	...	Pockets
Jasen Fisher	...	Ace
Dante Basco	...	Rufio
Raushan Hammond	...	Thud Butt

Runtime:

144 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL (DVD rating) | South Korea:All | Portugal:M/6 | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Canada:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8/5 | France:U | Germany:6 | Ireland:G | Israel:PG | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:U | USA:PG | Norway:10

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

According to Frank Sanello's biography "Spielberg," Nick Castle was originally attached to direct the film, and had been developing the screenplay for the film for a long time. Once Steven Spielberg expressed interest in being involved, the producers (and possibly heads of the studio) quickly gave Nick Castle a six-figure settlement, gross points and a "screen story" credit so that he could step down and Spielberg could helm the production.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Moira throws Peters cell phone out the window, the window is only half way open, but when Peter goes to look out the window it is all the way open.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Maggie: [playing Wendy] Boy, why are you crying?
Boy playing Peter Pan: I was crying 'cause I couldn't get my shadow to stick. Besides, I wasn't crying.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hooked (2006/I)

Soundtrack:

We Don't Wanna Grow Up

Overlong but hugely enjoyable fantasy.

I was actually worried when I saw the casting for Hook, but I watched it anyway. It is enjoyable, but I've seen better. Robin Williams is very likable and surprisingly good, but I personally wouldn't have picked him for Peter. Kevin Kline would have been a better choice. Julia Roberts is okay as Tinkerbell, but she has been better. Stealing the show, in a wonderfully pantomime performance as Captain Hook, is an unrecognisable Dustin Hoffmann, believe it or not. His performance was that good, that I was appalled that it wasn't nominated. He's not the first actor to be seriously robbed of an award.Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption? Tim Curry in Legend and It? John Hurt in The Elephant Man? Bob Hoskins was amiable, and the music by John Williams was very good, but not his best score. The plot is simple but well-told, if marred by overlong and unnecessary sequences with the Lost Boys that were sadly poorly handled. The film's main merit, aside from Hoffmann's performance is the art direction, beautiful sets and lovely costumes, particularly the brief underwater scene with the mermaids. The part with Maggie singing on the boat deck was heart-rending, and the scene where Peter suddenly remembers everything was touching. Above all, every scene with Hook and Smee was extremely entertaining. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it very much, but the film lacked magic. All in all, a slightly disappointing but fun and under-appreciated film, that is a 7/10 from me. Bethany Cox