Hook

1991

Director: Steven Spielberg

Composer: John Williams

Distributor: TriStar Pictures

Key Elements: Visuals – Concept - Symbolism - Music

My Review:

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Peter Pan. So when Hook came out, I was mesmerized. The concept is simple but brilliant: What if the boy who never grows up… did?

Even though the story is a sequel to the original tale, it’s accurate to the detail. The right London address. The emphasis on “good form.” Framing death as a great adventure. The tale of Peter being found by Tink in Kensington Gardens. Lines that reflect the original writing. Even the housekeeper Liza. It’s truer to J.M. Barrie’s book than even movies actually based on the book.

More than anything, the story is a reminder to guard against selling out or becoming jaded as we grow older.

But I also can’t help but think of Easter when I watch it. Peter has grown up (essentially dying to Neverland) and left the Lostboys alone. It feels a lot like the three days Jesus was in the grave. But when Tink reminds Peter of who he is, he bursts back into life as the Pan. It’s the resurrection. Peter then goes on to overthrow Hook and his pirates. Similarly, Jesus’ resurrection overthrows satan, sin and death.

And throughout the movie the music and imagery just cast beauty everywhere. Wonderful movie.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Ahh. Well, do you see where Jack is, hmm? Well, that is the same window and this is the same room where we made up our bedtime stories about Peter and Neverland and scary old Captain Hook. And did you know? Mr. Barrie - well, Sir James, our neighbor - he loved our stories so much, he wrote them all down in a book, oh dear me, eighty years ago.
• I hated the deal, but I'm sorry you feel so badly about it. Your children love you, they want to play with you. How long do you think that lasts? Soon Jack may not even want you to come to his games. We have a few special years with our children, when they're the ones that want us around. After that you're going to be running after them for a bit of attention. It's so fast Peter. It's a few years, and it's over. And you are not being careful. And you are missing it.
• The stories are true! I swear to you! I swear on everything I adore, and now he's come back to seek his revenge. The fight isn't over for Captain James Hook. He wants you back. He knows that you'll follow Jack and Maggie to the ends of the earth and beyond. And by heaven, you must find a way. Only you can save your children. Somehow, you must go back. You must make yourself remember.
• That's right, Peter, second star to the right and straight on till morning.
• Peter. I swear to you wherever you go, wherever you are, I vow there will always be daggers buried in notes signed James Hook. They will be flung into doors of your children's children's children, do you hear me?
• You know you're not really Peter Pan, don't you? This is only a dream. When you wake up, you'll just be Peter Banning - a cold, selfish man who drinks too much, is obsessed with success, and runs and hides from his wife and children!
• Bad form!
• Prepare to die, Peter Pan! - To die would be a grand adventure! Death is the only adventure you have left!
• To live… To live would be a great adventure

Stills: