 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hook
- Review Date: August 4, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1991
Common Sense Media says
A clumsy mishmash of a comedy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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.
What families can talk about
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.
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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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April 9, 2008
AGE
Not Clumsy at all
I think this the makers of this movie did their research. You can tell by the way the story is presented. If you know the book, you'll enjoy the movie more. I've always thought this movie was a masterpiece, with a good moral about spending time with your kids.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 19, 2010
AGE
One dark pierate who slashes peters hand with tharshing
blood nah just kidding just about 8 cm but ultrla violient
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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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| 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 |
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