Hook

source: Hook

We were "treated" to a video viewing of "Hook" for Thanksgiving one year. A perfect time to watch a movie, and this is what we saw. Two hours of my life that I'd like to have back. Bloated and lifeless, this material that demands a light touch was handled by an oaf. While an occasional foray to recreate childhood fantasies may be excused, turning them into expensive adult nightmares can not. A "1" out of "10."

There's a story that Steven Spielberg,after the film was finished, realized what he had done,then locked himself in a limo and cried. I hope he cried his eyes out because HOOK is a complete disaster. It is revisionist claptrap that fails on all levels.

Hook was beautifully shot!!! So real, heartache, love stories and workout wonderfully for the movie. Such a BRILLIANT CAST and storyline. It's real, heartache, thrilling (in a good way), including love stories that reblossom. Such a great film from the perspective of it not coming from the side of Peter Pan. A+++ Film!!!

Not everything works about Hook, the visuals are dated, the scenery looks like paintings, but its very timely too. The adult story of "Peter Pan" gives us the catharsis we deserve as devoted fans, without seeming to preachy, and exuasting. Spielberg is clearly a believer of strong fairytales, it shows with his crafting of the imagination.

The tale of a grown-up Peter Pan (Williams) who has forgotten his childhood past and must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to save his kidnapped children (Korsmo and Scott) from Captain Hook (Hoffman). You can call it a sequel to Barrie's 1911 novel PETER AND WENDY, but the genius of this particular story is all contained within this film, from the spot-on cast to the sets of Sony Pictures Studios bringing Neverland to screen in live-action, this movie is magical to anyone who grew up in the 1990s despite critics' panning. And while not every element from PETER AND WENDY can make it into this movie (despite being 144 minutes), there are many wonderful references to them nonetheless (such as John, Michael and Tiger Lily). ***½ (out of four)

Hook: allow me to set the stage for you. All of the fancy characters struggle against a system that has perpetuated falsehoods. There are gentle fisticuffs back and forth with those who claim to work for justice. The trains of righteousness can't be stopped and their movement brings about reactive forces in the people they affect. Great costumes and dialog move it all along in Hook. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do, however, drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose, so you know what? I can accept them. A gem.

This is such a typical Steven Spielberg kids' film, which means some good and some bad, but always an entertaining movie. The film is beautifully photographed, another Spielberg trait. It also has some innovative special-effects. The sets are magnificent. Robin Williams and Julia Roberts play likable roles, the latter playing "Tinker Bell." Spielberg also has the kids outsmarting the adults, or even outfighting them as in this film (gimme a break); some sexual innuendos that are not needed in this story; too much noise and activity for half the movie. At 140 minutes, it's a long movie, but the kids shouldn't mind while adults might get a little tired of it after awhile. All in all, it was okay but I didn't care for it as much as most people.

A surprisingly misfire by Spielberg. The normally solid directer loses control of the film which feels over-produced and chaotic. Robin Williams has a few nice lines and Dustin Hoffman is practically unrecognizable is a nicely evil performance as Captain Hook. However, too much seems to be happening in the film. The film's energy level sags at times. The kids occasionally annoy and I found their acting rather weak. Maggie Smith and Bob Hoskins are wasted in small throw-away parts. While the film isn't as bad as Spielberg's 1941, it is mediocre and eminently forgettable. Overall 4/10

I liked the costumes and the funny scenes, I will say it dragged on a little longer than necessary, but other than that, like always, Robin Williams does a wonderful job playing an adult with a child soul.