Spielberg’s Hook Brings Back Family Time

Hook came out in 1991. It was directed by: Steven Spielberg, written by  James V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marm and is now available to watch on HBO Max

Prime video and Apple TV.

The plot involves successful San Francisco corporate lawyer Peter Banning is a workaholic, straining his relationship with his wife Moira and their children Jack and Maggie. After promising to attend at least one of Jack’s baseball games but missing the entire season, Peter flies with his disappointed family to London to visit Moira’s grandmother, Wendy Darling. In London, Peter, Moira and Wendy attend a charity dinner in Wendy’s honor at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, leaving the children with Wendy’s old friend Tootles and housekeeper Liza. Upon returning, they find the house burglarized and the children missing, along with a ransom note signed by Captain James Hook. Peter involves the authorities, but they are unable to help, and Wendy insists that only he can save Jack and Maggie, as he is really Peter Pan; Peter refuses to believe her.

Later, in the nursery, he encounters Tinker Bell, who brings him to Neverland. She drops Peter into Hook’s pirate haven, where he reveals himself to Smee and Hook. Surprised to see how weak and old Peter has become, Hook challenges him to fly and rescue his children, preparing to execute him when he fails. Tinker Bell intervenes and persuades Hook to release Peter instead, promising to train him for battle over the next three days and give him the fight he desires. Peter is then taken to the hideout of the Lost Boys, now led by Rufio. The boys mock Peter, but eventually recognize and train him, encouraging him to use the power of imagination to help restore his memory and abilities. One boy, Thud Butt, gives Peter an old bag of marbles belonging to former Lost Boy Tootles.

Meanwhile, Hook laments that he will not have true revenge on Peter, until Smee suggests they manipulate the Banning children into switching sides. This plan fails with Maggie, but Jack is swayed due to Peter’s repeated broken promises. During a training challenge to steal Hook’s prosthetic namesake, Peter witnesses Jack playing in a baseball game Hook has arranged. Dismayed to see Jack treating Hook as a father figure, Peter returns to the Lost Boys’ camp with renewed determination. After seeing his shadow move independently, Peter follows it and discovers the original treehouse where Wendy and her brothers once stayed. Inside, Tinker Bell helps Peter remember how he was lost as an infant in the early 1900s, brought by her to Neverland, had many adventures, and first met the Darlings. He also recalls frequently visiting Wendy after the Darlings returned to London, until Wendy grew too old to go back. Although heartbroken, Peter then fell in love with Wendy’s granddaughter Moira and chose to stay, due to his desire to become a father. He became adopted by the Bannings, but at the cost of his memories.

Recalling Jack’s birth is the strong, happy thought that restores Peter’s ability to fly, bringing him back as Peter Pan. Rufio turns his sword over to Peter in reverence and the Lost Boys celebrate. That night, Tinker Bell professes her love for Peter with a kiss. However, Peter still chooses his family and professes his love for Moira. Although heartbroken by his rejection, Tinker Bell accepts this and encourages him to go save his children.

The next day, Peter and the Lost Boys fight Hook and his pirates while Jack watches. Hook’s crew eventually surrenders, but Rufio duels Hook and is fatally wounded. With his dying breath, Rufio wishes he could have had a father like Peter. Jack comes to his senses and reconciles with his father. In the ensuing fight, Peter defeats Hook, who is devoured by the reanimated corpse of the taxidermied Crocodile. Tinker Bell takes Jack and Maggie back to London, and Peter appoints Thud Butt as his successor.

Peter awakens in Kensington Gardens. Tinker Bell appears and bids a tearful farewell to Peter before departing. Reuniting with his family at Wendy’s house, Peter decides to devote more time to them. He also returns Tootles’ bag of marbles; Tootles joyfully sprinkles himself with pixie dust from it and flies away. As the family watches Tootles return to Neverland, Wendy remarks to Peter that his adventures are truly over; Peter counters that “to live would be an awfully big adventure.”

Cast includes Robin Williams as Peter Banning / Peter Pan, Ryan Francis as preteen Peter Pan, Max Hoffman as young Peter Pan, Matthew Van Ginkel as baby Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell, Lisa Wilhoit as Tinker Bell in a flashback in which Peter is a baby, Bob Hoskins as Smee / Sweeper in Kensington Gardens, Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy, Gwyneth Paltrow as teenage Wendy Darling, Charlie Korsmo as Jack Banning, Peter and Moira’s son, Amber Scott as Maggie Banning, Peter and Moira’s daughter, Caroline Goodall as Moira Banning, Peter’s wife and Jack and Maggie’s mother, Dante Basco as Rufio, Jasen Fisher as Ace, Raushan Hammond as Thud Butt, Isaiah Robinson as Pockets, James Madio as Don’t Ask,Arthur Malet as Tootles, Laurel Cronin as Liza, Granny Wendy’s maid,Phil Collins as Inspector Good,Thomas Tulak as Too Small, Alex Zuckerman as Latchboy and Ahmad Stoner as No Nap. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a low score of 29 percent but the audience score was 76. To me this movie is such a nostalgic movie and every time I watch it I think of my childhood where we watched it as a family. There isn’t any bad language or anything so I would definitely recommend this as like a family movie night movie.