Hook (1991)

Elevator Pitch: Peter, now a successful New York businessman, who neglects his family, is back in London  to accept an award on behalf of his grandmother, Wendy. But back in the family home Captain Hook kidnaps his children with the intent of luring him back into Neverland for a final confrontation. Peter, who has no recollection of his origins is helped by Tinker Bell to return to the Lost Boys lair where he must relearn how to fly and fight. Meanwhile Hook is convincing Peter’s son that he his better off as a pirate.

Content: Tinker Bell, as a full sized person, snoggs Peter once. Numerous set pieces in the harbour where Hook’s ship is moored and in the Lost Boys secret lair on the top of a high rock. The Lost Boys have a basket ball basket, the pirates play baseball to make Peter’s son one of them. There are food fights and sword fights and, surprisingly, one or two people are killed. At the beginning and end we are back in London, mainly in the children’s bedroom.

A View: This film was not well liked by the critics or me, but it seems to have gained moderate approval with the general public and did make money. Every single scene was much too long, and I am having to remember that it is a children’s film, but two hours and twenty minutes! I could hardly wait for it to end. However, it was nominated for a number of Oscars in the “design” area, and the staging was pretty good, but good sets do not make a good film. So honestly, give it a miss.

Additional Info: When the director was appearing on Kermode and Mayo a couple of years ago, he inferred that the film was not much good, saying he would have to have another look to see if he liked anything.