Hook

Daniel Bigler4.5

One of those rare cinematic curiosities where you can tell instantly how old someone was when they first saw the film based upon their reaction to it today.It goes like this: almost without exception, those who first saw Hook as an adult will—by virtue of being a horrible grown-up—completely and utterly loathe the film, detesting everything it represents about cinema today. They will deride Hook as bloated and indulgent; treacly Spielbergian sentimentality run amuck; and, worst of all—*gasp*—totally made-up, phooey, ridiculous make-believe kid nonsense. (Don't feel bad for them; that's just typical of grown-ups.)Meanwhile, those of us who first saw Hook as kids... well, the truth of it is we can't help but adore the utter crap out of this film. It's in our DNA to love it; that's what happens when you wear out about a billion VHS copies of Hook as a kid, so of course we're going to have fond feelings for the film today. (As well as a deep-seated loathing of Dustin Hoffman for killing Rufio. RUFIO, YOU SHALL BE AVENGED!) So, what's the moral of the story? Well, as with all good stories and films for children, there isn't any. Except maybe this: big, loud, bombastic food fights in Neverland... boy, they'll stick with you.

James (Schaffrillas)2.5

One of the most endearing and likable bad movies I've seen :)

demi adejuyigbe4.0

There's a lot to dislike about this movie– so much so that apparently Spielberg doesn't even love it himself– but I think it's magical. Julia Roberts having fun! Incredible production design that feels like a Universal Studios live show! Outstanding cameos! (Glenn Close?? Phil Collins?? David Crosby?? Jimmy Buffet?? George Lucas and Carrie Fisher for some reason????) An all-time iconic performance from Dustin Hoffman! If I had just one (1) more beer in me, the scene where the little boy says "Oh there you are Peter" would've brought a tear to my eye. Spielberg brings a sense of fantasy and whimsy to so many other projects, it's great to just see him take that style right to a straight-up fantasy. And frankly, I don't think Paddington 2 exists without Hook. There's a level of camp to the pirates' performance and lifestyle that feels almost directly lifted for Paddington– and I love it!Watching this film from the point of view of the Lost Boys is a trip; imagine losing your idol to the disillusionment of adulthood and being stuck in the limbo of moving on and fighting to pull him back to the light. Imagine not knowing where your leader has gone all these years, only to learn he went and had his own life, away from your world, created his own family and grew into the one thing you'd known you never wanted to be. It's not something Spielberg leans on, but watching this movie as an adult has me thinking so much more about the tragedy of the Lost Boys. (Which is a tragedy that works much better than the whole 15 seconds devoted to Rufio's death before everyone just kind of moves on. Weird!)