Customer Reviews
Yes, there are a thousand and one flaws over which one can complain, but this is a movie that gets in your heart 
2008-08-31
I remember being amazed with this movie as a young child. As I grew older, I was amazed to learn that this movie had been scorned by critics as was considered "bad". Now I do not claim to be an expert on what is good or bad with movies beyond what the basic girl knows and what I like, but I still cannot see anything wrong with this.
Yes, part of me hates the idea that someone would take Barry's Peter Pan and ruin everything about him by making him grow up. Yet that just so happens to be the very idea with this film and ironically what makes it work. A grown-up Peter Pan leads to an amazingly creative and poignant story about the oh-so-touching priorities in life.
The special effects and set are, I believe, quite nice for when the movie was made. But still what makes this movie work is the great story and the awesome cast. Oh, and the many bones it tosses out to those who have actually read "Peter Pan".
This is a fun, exiting, and heartwarming movie that yes, has its flaws and may be considered too much of a take on James Barry's tale, but still has apparently become something of a cult classic. It has captured my heart.
I believe in you, Peter Pan. 
2008-08-31
Without a doubt 1991's HOOK is my favorite movie of all time.
Granted, if you are a 40-something year old about to view Hook for the very first time you may have trouble truly enjoying, or even understanding it.
The tale of Peter Pan(Robin Williams), the boy who ran away to Neverland; always wanted to have fun and never wanted to grow-up! But what happens when indeed he has grown and he's been away from Neverland for years. Now he must return to Neverland to save his two children from the hands of villainous Captain Hook!(Dustin Hoffman), only things are complicated; He's old, he's fat and Peter has forgotten how to fly(not to mention the fact that he ever was Peter Pan at all!)
"Don't mess with me, man, I'm a lawyer. "
Since as far back as I can remember this film has held a special place in my heart, and it is still true today. Night after night my father and I would pull out our light-up swords and fight in the dark, quoting classic lines from the film. It is one of my most treasured memories and I have Hook to thank for it.
Watching Peter Banning slowly uncover all the facts and hardships he's encountered to find his happy place and fly are touching.
Hoffman and Williams are both brilliant adding different facets to these characters then could have been imagined, and they really have the ability to pull it off! Every character cast is fantastic.
Hook is solely for those who are in-touch with their inner child, what is truly important in life and tying to find a balance between staying true to yourself and realizing we all must grow up. If this isn't you, I don't assume you can even begin to appreciate it. Then again I supposed it's because you're far too enlightened already....
"You... You man! you stupid, stupid man! "
It absolutely never gets old.
The absolute best movie...ever! 2008-08-15
As of this writing, I am 22 years old. When this hit theaters, I was but a small child. I saw it in theaters, bought the VHS the day it came out and DVD the day it came out. Through seeing hundreds and hundreds of movies, this movie tops my list as my favorite movie of all time. Of course, I'm a huge Peter Pan fan and Steven Spielberg, but it is a great movie. Everyone always wanted to know WHAT IF Peter Pan grew up. Underlying theme of the movie is no matter how old you get, age doesn't change how you think or how you act. I can't go on enough on how good this movie is, just watch it and love it. The music of the movie makes me cry, it's so good!!!!
Wonderful movie 2008-08-13
This has been one of my favorite movies since I was a small child. I honestly cannot understand why it is considered a failure by Spieldberg. This movie is clever, touching, meaningful, exciting and entertaining for all ages. Hook is a must have for any big Peter Pan fan, and I know I'll continue watching this for years to come.
great movie 2008-08-03
this is a fantasy with peter pan grown up and trying to find himself again. Very good acting and a great script make this a terrific movie.
Just as I expected! 2008-06-11
A high-flying adventure from the magic of Steven Spielberg Hook stars Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan and Dustin Hoffman as the infamous Captain Hook.Joining the fun is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell Bob Hoskins as the pirate Smee and Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy Darling who must convince the middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning that he was once the legendary Peter Pan. And so the adventure begins anew with Peter off to Neverland to save his two children from Captain Hook. Along the way he rediscovers the power of imagination friendship and magic. A classic tale updated for children of all ages Hook nominated for five 1991 Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects is "a 10. A film that will entertain generations generations from now." (Gary Franklin KABC-TV)System Requirements:Starring: Dustin Hoffman Bob Hoskins Julia Roberts Robin Williams and Maggie Smith. Directed By: Steven Spielberg. Running Time: 142 mins. This film is presented in "Widescreen" format. Copyright: 2000 Columbia Tri Star Home Video.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: PG UPC: 043396039308 Manufacturer No: 03930
Fun for the whole family! 2008-05-21
I liked this movie very much when I first watched it, being a grown up and all. Now I wanted my kids to watch it too, and I was right: they loved it! Wonderful, funny, fantastic story, with such great actors! I was hoping it was in spanish for my children, but it didn't have the option. They could understand a few things, but even with myself acting as the translator, it was wonderful for all of us!
male menopause remedy 2008-04-19
Love this movie, and think every A-type man should view it. I cry every time Peter discovers the child within and when he actually sees his children, it is magical. Dad's, watch this whenever you feel the need to work to achieve career glory over family. It might save your marriage.
Family Film 2008-04-08
This is a great film for the whole family, they definitely don't make movies like this any more.
You've lost your marbles if you dislike this film 2008-04-06
I'm starting to think that all of the people who disliked this movie, calling it one of Spielberg's worst, saying it has none of the magic of his earlier films, that it doesn't capture the spirit of the Peter Pan story, is a little bit deranged. I'm not saying this is Steven Spielberg's best film, but apparently watching a guy fight Nazis and a kid find an alien is more magical and reminds someone more of their childhood than the idea of growing up and having to give up on the fun you had as a child (by the way, I love the INDIANA JONES films and E.T.). I've read a lot of the bad reviews of this film, and all of them are written by people who have grown up and apparently become the workaholic who has no time for fun anymore that Robin Williams plays here. Yet they all seem to enjoy Spielberg's other forays into capturing the fun of childhood. I'm not sure what exactly went wrong for them here. Neverland doesn't look right? I don't know how much money was spent here, but I found Neverland to look pretty amazing. Dustin Hoffman is too over-the-top as Hook? Yeah, you're right, Hook should be a real bore. The list goes on and on.
Anyway, as many probably know, the plot concerns a grown-up Peter Pan, now Peter Banning (Robin Williams, doing a great job), who has left Neverland and become a workaholic with no time for his kids (like a lot of movies, so maybe that's a complaint of the naysayers). Then suddenly, upon a visit to Granny Wendy's (Maggie Smith), Peter's kids are kidnapped by Lord Voldemort... er, Captain Hook (Hoffman), who wants to rid himself of Peter Pan once and for all. However, Peter has no idea who he once was, so it's up to his old friend Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts... good cast, huh?), who snatches him away to Neverland, and the Lost Boys (apparently another complaint of people... anyone that has any energy in this film gets negativity, it would seem), who are still wild and orphaned. Does Peter become the Pan again and save his kids? Who do you think directed this?
I really wish this could be considered one of Spielberg's best, because it's certainly one of my favorites. Spielberg's direction, the acting, John Williams' beautiful score, it all works so well for me. I grew up with this movie, and I also grew up with the Disney cartoon of Peter Pan, the book, and various other film/stage adaptations, and I truly believe that Spielberg has created a magical semi-sequel. I'm uncertain how the people who don't like this movie would have done a 'Peter Pan is grown-up movie'. Would they have not done one at all? It was and still is a great idea, and perhaps it's a movie best enjoyed by people who saw it first when they still had the innocence of childhood that is explored so well here.
