On December 11th, 1991, Steven Spielberg took us on a journey to a land that lies between sleep and waking, where you still remember your dreams. Hook is the story of Peter Pan, played by legendary comedian Robin Williams, returning to Neverland, this time no longer a child, and having to remember his roots. Dustin Hoffman co-starred in the film as Peter’s arch-nemesis, Captain James Hook. Sprinkle some more fairy dust onto the cast by adding Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Maggie Smith as the two versions of Wendy, which adds to the aura of this nostalgic blockbuster.
Who’s the Real Pan?
What happens when Peter Pan leaves Neverland? Well, like the rest of us, he grows old! He became a lawyer, a husband, and a father, leaving his childhood shenanigans behind. On a night out honoring Grandma Wendy for her orphanage work, the devious Captain Hook kidnaps Peter’s kids. This is when we learn who he, Wendy, and the marbleless Toodles really are.
Tinkerbell enters through the same balcony doors (which should be locked at all times) and opens a can of whoop ass on Peter until he admits he believes in fairies. She then carries him off, creating his return to Neverland. When he wakes up, he is confused and unaware of his whereabouts.
Peter, still dressed in suspenders with his beer belly plopping out, comes face to face with his villain rival, Captain Hook. The Captain reveals the stolen children and challenges the old battered man to fly up and touch their hands for their release. Peter climbs up to be only inches away from their small kid’s hands, and his daughter Maggie insults his effort by saying, “Mommy could do it!” Thanks, Maggie!
Lookie, Lookie I got Hooky
Captain Hook orders his men to “kill them, kill them all” after Peter fails to reach his children. A fast-talking Tinkerball convinces him that she only needs three days to get “Pan” into shape. So they throw the tied-up lawyer overboard, where young mermaids come to revive and save him. After a few awkward makeout sessions, Peter meets the Lost Boys.
The Lost Boys aren’t convinced this is Peter Pan. They think he’s just some old man, grandpa man. Their hero Rufio arrives as they chant his name, on possibly the coolest skateboard you may ever see. Peter doesn’t want to play basketball, nor does he care when they draw the line in the sand to see where the Lost Boys’ loyalty lies.
One little Lost Boy investigates the fallen, out-of-shape old man. He stretches his face out with a big smile, “There you are, Peter!” This is when the Lost Boys agree to help the old man. In a training montage, Peter takes a hard fall, bumps his head, and finds his childhood Teddy Bear. He begins to float from the happy thought and realizes that he is indeed Peter Pan.
We then go to dinner, where Peter can’t see the feast in front of him because he is not using his imagination. He and Rufio get into an insulting match that could rival a Tupac and Biggie rap battle. It’s then that he flings some imaginary Superman ice cream at Rufio’s face, making all the food real in his eyes for the first time. “You’re doing it, Peter, you’re playing with us.”
While all this is taking place, Captain Hook is manipulating Pan’s children into loving him. Maggie stays strong, while Jack turns his back on his father very quickly. Sorry, Jack, that your dad is a successful lawyer who can pay for a Christmas Vacation to London, can’t make some of your baseball games, and doesn’t let you blow bubbles in your chocolate milk. Just make sure you “run home, Jack!”
Of course, Neverland makes people forget. So, with all the partying Peter Pan does with the Lost Boys, he is reminded, “Peter Pans gots kids!” They gear up with all their cool gadgets and weapons to take on Hook and his merry men. After a grueling battle and Rufio’s death, Jack and Maggie return home with their happy thoughts. Maggie still won’t acknowledge her father as her happy thought, and Jack is finally not embarrassed by his dad.
Final Thoughts
Hook was one of my favorite childhood movies. Spielberg made the film to appeal to all ages, and families everywhere can enjoy it. There’s plenty of action and story, and don’t tell me you didn’t shed a tear when Peter held Rufio after getting stabbed. We all loved it when the fat kid rolled down the ramp, and the eggs were shot out of the guns. So if you think you fight, you can fly, and for some reason you can crow, you may be the next Peter Pan. You may just have forgotten who you are, or you may have lost your marbles.
