Hook

 Review

Common Sense Media says

A clumsy mishmash of a comedy.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the pirates and some situations in this movie may frighten sensitive viewers. Two children are abducted by a villainous storybook pirate and threatened with death. The pirate Hook kills, displays comic suicidal tendencies; tries to seduce children into hating their father.

  • A father yells at his children, breaks promises, puts work before family, but learns the value of his loved ones in the end. The Lost Boys are a racially diverse lot.
  • Not applicable.
  • Some sword fighting. Hook runs his blade through a valiant young boy, killing him.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

Steven Spielberg's 1991 venture follows grown-up Peter Pan (Robin Williams) as he returns to Neverland. Now a hardworking lawyer with three kids and a troubled marriage, Peter heads to London with his brood to visit Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith). Peter is thrown back to his past when Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps his kids. With help from Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts), middle-aged Peter regains his memory of who he really is (and how to fly), and sets off to Neverland to rescue his children and do battle with his arch nemesis, Captain Hook.


Is it any good?

 

What if Peter Pan had to grow up? For those familiar with J.M. Barrie's wonderful literary creation, it's an intriguing question, and a great movie premise. Unfortunately, Spielberg and Williams made this movie for their children, seemingly without regard for anyone else's kids, who may not like such a sweet center or such dark edges to their movie entertainment. The result is a comedy not only spare on laughs, but drenched in Hollywood cheese. Neverland fails to look like anything more than what it is: an expensive studio set inhabited by some of the worst-looking pirates ever in movies, including an uncredited Glenn Close sporting a beard.

Young children may enjoy the racially diverse Lost Boys who rally against those pirates; teens and adults are more likely to find their antics insufferable. As for the stars, Roberts has the appropriately pixie look for Tinkerbell, but Williams as the adult Pan looks far from willowy in his green tights and leafy tunic. The real standout here is Hoffman, who's a surprisingly good Hook but is given woefully little to do other than snarl and rant. But overall, Hook is an overlong hodgepodge with plenty of sparkly magic for young kids, but too much syrup for older tastes.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the popularity of Peter Pan.

  • Why is it a classic story?

  • Families may want to use this as an opportunity to introduce the book.


This review of Hook was written by
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Just Plain FUN
This is one for your video library -- a real keeper! Lots of fun without the worries of language and sex.

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Parent of 3, 5, and 6 year old
January 2, 2011
 
Great movie, could have done without some of the language.
Loved it and my boys loved it. Could have done without some of the language, especially the long name calling session though :( Examples: "What the hell are you doing?" - father to son Fornication blubber butt "Get off your ass"
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Parent
September 28, 2010
 
Fun for kids who like Peter Pan, with some objections to think about
I watched this movie with my 8 year old son and 9 year old daughter; we all enjoyed it. Very nice special effects and visual appeal: snowy London, Neverland sunsets, etc. This would make the movie particularly enjoyable on a large-screen TV. The story stays faithful to the themes of the original Peter Pan, which means that if your children know and like that story they will particularly enjoy this one. No greater violence and scariness than in the original. Hook is menacing but doesn't do a lot of significant damage so any children who know the story but can't handle seeing characters really get hurt will be ok. I took minor objection to 5 things: 1. a pirate who has betrayed Hook is put in the "boo box" - a cramped barrel where small yucky creatures (spiders? snakes?) are fed through a window into the box with him in order to scare him. If you're sensitive, this feels like a nasty torture scene; however, it lasts for only a few seconds and the worst part is the part where the pirate is forced into the box. 2. at one point Tinkerbell turns herself human-sized, and she is wearing an off-the-shoulder gown; she kisses the adult Peter Pan romantically and somewhat breathlessly, and reveals that she loves him. He rejects her because he loves his wife and kids. The scene is brief and not too explicit, but if you feel as I do that romantic scenes have no place in children's movies, then it was an unnecessary disappointment. Really, shouldn't Tinkerbell stay a fairy? Why do romance and unrequited love have to be introduced into this story? 3. In one scene Hook slashes the adult Pan's arm with his hook; you don't see blood but you do see the slash; again, it's quick; 4. Hook stabs and kills one of the main Lost Boys - you don't see blood but the death is sad; 5. one of the lost boys is overweight and this is sort of exploited - he rolls up into a ball and knocks pirates over; 6. the movie continues upon and expands the themes of sad/painful loss from the original - the lost boys wish they had a mother, the dying lost boy reveals his wish that he had had a father, Tinkerbell will never see Pan again, etc. Overall, however, I recommend the movie as fun and visually appealing especially for kids who like the original.

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Teen, 16 years old
December 19, 2010
 
Good for the whole family!
This movie was one of my favorites growing up. Because it's never too scary I think it's great for younger kids and because it is so funny it's good for older kids too.
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Teen, 13 years old
May 30, 2010
 
Happy thoughts!
Language is not that much of a problem. The volence is an issue, but that's Peter Pan to you! The Educational part is to always find your happy thoughts!
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Kid, 12 years old
September 15, 2010
 
:)
luv it!!!!!!
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Kid, 9 years old
March 19, 2010
 
One dark pierate who slashes peters hand with tharshing blood nah just kidding just about 8 cm but ultrla violient
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Kid, 10 years old
November 30, 2009
 
Me and my cousins watched this last summer and it was awesome. Even though i don't like the idea of Peter Pan becomeing a lawyer.

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Teen, 13 years old
April 4, 2011
 
A feel good movie that brings out the love in Peter Pan
Funny, imaginative, and creatively thought-out, Hook tells about what Peter Pan's life is like now. As a buisness man, a successful grown-up, and a bad father. That is, until Captain Hook kidnaps his children and Peter must rejoin "the lost boys" in order to get his kids back from the dastardly pirate. Swears and violence between pirates and kids are potrayed throuout the story. As long as your 10 and up I'd think you'd be responsible enough to see Hook. Even my 5th Grade teacher enjoyed this movie
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Teen, 15 years old
May 9, 2011
 
Fantastic Twist To Peter Pan!
Like Robin William's Mrs. Doubtfire, this family friendly film portrays Williams as a father. Peter Pan fell in love with Wendy's grandaughter and did not go back to Neverland until Hook kidnaps his kids. Spoilers Some mild language, and Hook kill Rupio the lost boy in one said scene, and he tells Peter that he wishes he had a dad like him before he dies. It's a sad scene and may confuse little ones.
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This review of Hook was written by
Topics:magic and fantasy, adventures, book characters, pirates
Studio:Sony Pictures
Director:Steven Spielberg
Cast:Bob Hoskins, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:144 minutes
Theatrical release date:December 11, 1991
DVD release date:September 9, 2003
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:thematic intensity and mild violence

This review of Hook was written by
 

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