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 | Flying Man | Fantasy World

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

Color:

Color

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:

There is many references to the story of Peter Pan in Wendy's house: In the nursery the window clasp is in the shape of Captain Hook's hook; the wall boarders are painted scenes from the Peter Pan story; in Toodles' room is a scale model of the Jolly Roger in a bottle; Wendy's brother John's top hat and glasses; Wendy's youngest brother Michael's teddy bear.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the baseball is approaching Peter's head there is a ladder behind him very slightly to his left but in the next shot when the ball hits him the ladder is behind him to his right.

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:

When You're Alone

Pan Is Back

Purportedly Steven Spielberg is not happy with the end product of Hook. I'm at a loss to know why because I think it's an absolutely charming fantasy, using his own peculiar take on the Peter Pan story and extending it.

Robin Williams as Peter Banning is a hard driving lawyer with a wife and two children Caroline Goodall, Charlie Korsmo and Amber Scott respectively. He was an orphan kid who married the granddaughter of Wendy Darling who was Sir James M. Barrie's inspiration for the Peter Pan tale.

But it's all real, Robin Williams doesn't know he's Peter Pan who left Never Never Land for reasons you'll discover in the film. But he left one nasty enemy there in Captain Hook and Hook captures his children to lure him back to Never Never Land where Hook can take vengeance upon him.

Spielberg got some great performances out of his cast which also includes Julia Roberts as the elfin Tinkerbell and Maggie Smith as the aged Wendy. But stealing the film completely in one bravura performance is Dustin Hoffman.

Captain Hook is one of those fabulous roles where the actor can just feast on the scenery and can just go to town with it. It's a role that it is impossible to overact in. I doubt if Dustin Hoffman ever enjoyed himself more in making a film.

Hook got five Oscar nominations in the technical categories, but sad to say did not win anything in 1991. I'm surprised that one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator films beat Hook out for Best Visual Effects, this one is clearly superior in that department if anything.

Robin Williams has his innings as well, trying to remember his past as Peter Pan and get back into Pan like behavior to defeat Captain Hook. As to why he left Never Never Land in the first place. Let's just say he took one too many trips outside his domain and something happened to him that happens to all young men at some point.

Hook is a great piece of family entertainment from Steven Spielberg and Dustin Hoffman's fans will really enjoy it.