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£16 in premium fund, thanks Ciao :-). You can also read my reviews at http://lou-reviews.blogspot.co m/
Member since:25.11.2008
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Hook is a variation on the Peter Pan story, but rather than Peter being the 12 or 13 year old boy he always was, we find that Peter is a middle aged man, and a miserable one at that.
Peter is now an a lawyer (no wonder he's miserable!!), spends more time concentrating on his clients than his family. He has been invited to be the key speaker at a function to honour Wendy, who's now an elderly lady who's devoted her life to helping orphans and Great Ormand Street Hospital. So much so they are dedicating a new wing to her.
Peter has two children, a boy named Jack and a younger girl called Maggie. Maggie strangely enough has the lead role in a play about Peter Pan, and not realising the play is abtually about him, Peter tries to enjoy watching, but is interrupted by clients.
These same clients make Peter miss Jack's final baseball game the next day, and Jack blames Peter for his poor performance and refuses to speak to Peter on the flight to London. On this flight we also see how terrified Peter is of fly and heights.
Once in London, Peter and his wife (Moira)
and the children are reunited with Wendy, who's horrified to find out that Peter's job makes him the lawyer equivalent of a pirate. Nonetheless, the trot off to the dedication, leaving the children behind in the care of Tootles (the former Lost Boy, who's lost his marbles). While they are away, Wendy has a funny turn, almost as if she can sense something is wrong, and when they return they are horrified to find the children missing and a message from Captain James Hook pinned to the door. Hook wants a showdown with Peter and instructs him to return to Neverland to save his children.
Peter of course, cannot remember Hook, and although Wendy tries to explain, he refuses to believe that he is Peter Pan. He calls the police, who put the disappearance down to a prank, based on the family connection to J. M. Barrie and the Peter Pan 'stories'.
During the night, Peter attempts to sleep in the room where Jack and Maggie disappeared from, when suddenly he sees a strange firefly heading his way. It isn't a firefly however, it's Tinkerbell, who's come to help Peter remember, and help him to fly back to Neverland. Peter still will not believe, despite the fact a fairy is fluttering around him, and Tink pretty much kidnaps him and drags him back to Neverland.
Here Peter encounters Hook once more, when Hook hoists the children up in a net for all to see. Peter races forward to free them, still believing he is in the real world. He tries to write a cheque for the children's release, but Hook forces him to climb up the mast and touch the children's fingers. Well actually he wants Peter to fly, but of course he cant'. Peter manages to get up she mast, but cannot reach far enough.
Hook has seen enough and orders his men to kill them all, but Tink manages to persuade Hook that she can get Peter into shape in 3 days, and then he can have the war he wanted. Hook agrees, and Tink takes Peter to meet the Lost Boys again, to train him up for battle.
Main Cast
Dustin Hoffman as Capt. Hook Robin Williams as Peter Banning Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell Bob Hoskins as Smee Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy Caroline Goodall as Moira Banning Charlie Korsmo as Jack 'Jackie' Banning Amber Scott as Maggie Banning
Contrary to most people I'm not a fan of Robin Williams, I think that he's okay, but not great. This film didn't do anything to change my mind, Williams didn't seem able to grasp the essence of am over worked, hard faced corporate lawyer, and came across as a man who just couldn't careless for his children, rather than a man pushed by his work. He managed the role of Peter Pan slightly better than Peter Banning, but still he was unconvincing.
Dustin Hoffman on the other hand was very good, he managed to porttray Hook exactly as you'd imagine him, but still add an amusing slant to the character.
Julie Roberts was reasonably good, although the character does not have a lot of depth, so it's not really a test of her acting ability.
The children were adequate, although a scene with Maggie singing caused both my children to laugh hysterically, and I have to say it was stomach churningly bad. The kids who played the Lost Boys were good, but then they were just playing children running wild, so not a lot of acting ability required there. The boy who played Rufio (Dante Basco) was very stretched in the role, he really didn't seem comfortable in the role and appeared to the forcing every line and expression.
It's quite an old film now, but not that old that the special effects should have been as poor as they were. Whilst I never saw any strings when Peter was flying, it was so obvious they were using a green screen. And some of the long distance scenic shots were clearly hand made.
There were a couple of noticeable songs from the sound track, the first mentioned above when Maggie was singing to herself. And the Lost Boys managed a couple of chant like songs.
The DVD also has a few extra features:
Trailers Featurette 3 Photo Galleries The Lost Treasure Game Filmographies
Unfortunately I can't comment on these, as by the end of the film I was just glad to turn it off.
The kids enjoyed it though, I would say it's definitely one best left for the kids to watch.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2005 - Family - Director: Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Ewan McGregor, Robin Williams, Jim Broadbent, Lowell Ganz, Halle Berry, Mel Brooks, Greg Kinnear
Nominated for Five Academy AwardsPETER PAN - the hero who never grows old - has grown up! ... more
And he's even forgotten how to fly! Enter the magical, mystical world of a hundred fun summers as the ageless avenger and faithful fairy Tinkerbell return to Neve...
May 16th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
