Hook [1991 film]

Another example of the principle that films not shot in HD should not be viewed in HD. Whatever the technical reasons, doing so destroys the integrity of the filmed world, and instead the movie's sets are become visible, and the world disappears.

Production notes aside, Hook cobbles together familiar Spielberg themes, but this is not one of his successes in movie-making. One example among many: Peter Pan simply has too many romantic interests in this script (Wendy, Tinker Bell, Wendy's daughter Moira), and they aren't handled well. The result is muddled when not outright creepy. It's fairly clear what was intended, but it didn't work out.

A grown-up Peter Pan returns to Neverland.

Sullen children, a lazy character arc, and a bad sense of humor. It's almost impressive how little fun this movie is, considering the potential. It still has a certain charm, though, especially since it has a clear respect for the source material.

Concept: B
Story: D
Characters: D
Dialog: C
Pacing: D
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: C
Acting: C
Music: B

Enjoyment: C

GPA: 1.9/4

Amazon.com
Steven Spielberg's deeply flawed but sporadically fun and moving update of the Peter Pan legend stars Robin Williams as the grown-up Pan, a corporate-takeover type who must embrace his old identity in order to save his kids from Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman). The stars put on a good show, including Hoffman's read of Hook's hysterical personality, Julia Roberts mini-turn as a tiny Tinker Bell, and Maggie Smith's touching performance as the aged Wendy. The visual contrast between the adult Pan's bustling outside world and the insulated fantasy of Neverland is striking, but Spielberg's ideas about the Lost Boys--politically correct in their ethnic diversity, energetic on skateboards--are contrived and cheapening. On the plus show more side, the story's theme about adults finding their innocence again through their children is very touching (though some people have found it cloying). If you can look beyond the glaring problems, there's plenty to like here. --Tom Keogh show less