Movie Defense Force: Hook

[attackshark]

this was one of those films i watched over and over again as a kid. i love the fights scenes between the pirates and lost boys. i cried everytime rufioh was died, even though i knew it was coming. i loved the world they built.

i never caught onto the "adult" things until years later (for obvious reasons), but when i was old enough to understandthe things like Peter's negligence (that he lost sight of what was important because he was busy, not because he didn't care) or Hook's dissatisfaction with himself, it made the movie a million times better. the poor reviews are a testament to the 90s not being all that great.

 

[Darth_Payn]

It is just asinine that anyone would think HOOK was a bad movie. It's still freaking amazing because of Spielberg, and he knows that the best kids movies are the ones that are still fun to watch as an adult. And Smee? I remember that and the ladies love them some Smee! I forgot about Captain Hook attempting to blow his own brains out, but I remember the tic-tock croc, being turned into a clock.

 

[Metalrocks]

wow. i havent seen this movie since i was a kid. so that would be nearly 20 years ago. i dint know it was received poorly. i actually enjoyed it and now i like to see it again.no wonder you defended it.

 

[irishda]

The most surprising criticism I saw against it was that it "didn't do anything new for the Peter Pan mythos."

 

[hentropy]

I always thought this was a classic film, I had no idea it was panned when it first came out. Early 90s film reviewers and their retroactively bad reviews, I suppose.

 

[RedDeadFred]

I didn't realize this movie was critically panned. I love it. Hook is one of the most memorable and awesome villains. And yes, Crocodile Clock Tower is so cool!

Where was I? Probably lying in some contraption made for babies given that I was only 3 months old. I didn't see the movie until I was 5. I remember loving it then and I still think it's a great movie now.

Completely off topic: Why are my captchas all for Mastercard and all in a different language? It just annoys me, doesn't really make me want a Mastercard

 

[Aardvaarkman]

God damn it, Jim!

I come to The Escapist and I see Robin Williams' goofy mug staring at me from out of the front page? That should be banned for being a crime against humanity. Couldn't you have covered it up by something less offensive, like hardcore bestiality porn, or an image of Mother Theresa being gnawed apart by rats?

 

[Teoes]

Good form, Jim.

Substitute Chemistry teacher.
(Come on, Rufio - hit him back!)

Where was i? In the cinema, watching it.

I was there too. Then I was at home, watching the tape over and over and over and over..

 

[gorfias]

I recall the over-all theme of Hook was repellent. It was a baby boom generation in love with itself and paternally patting itself on the head.

With Peter out of the picture, Pan goes to an powerless Rufio who

Spoiler: 20 year old spoiler

dies! No match for Hook that Peter himself beats with ease!

The new Pan becomes someone even less likely to truly fill Peter's shoes.

That written, Rufio and the setup of the film are pretty worthy. But a bad message can burn even great art and I think this, "we are the baby boomers and we will never be really matched" message off-putting.

Watch the Disney cartoon instead.

 

[Korten12]

Where was I?

Not even born yet. Wouldn't be born for 3 more years.

 

[Seracen]

OK Jim, I'll confess. Before even watching the video I was about to charge in here and say "Bullshit! This doesn't need defending! It's a great movie and everybody loves it!"

... then you mentioned that it was hammered by critics when it was released and that it has a bad score on Rotten Tomatoes. That honestly took me by surprise, so I went to IMDB and found out that it has a 6.5 there. Not a bad score at all, but honestly it feels kinda low for this movie. You were obviously right in defending Hook, but for the life of me I just don't get it. It's a fun movie. It's a good movie. Why the hell would it actually need defending?

A agree with you 100%, exact same sentiment here.

Although, I would add that critic ratings aren't always a good measure of fan appeal, especially with summer blockbusters. IIRC, critics said that 300 was garbage and would fail as well.

 

[daxterx2005]

Only thing I disliked about this movie was tink growing full size.

 

[Flatfrog]

It was just such a weird mix. I don't remember it that clearly (I saw it in the cinema and never since) but I remember loving the action and comedy elements but constantly being forced back into the mawkish sentimental shit. It was absolutely the worst of self-indulgent Robin Williamsness. The only scene I remember really vividly is that awful little boy thinking his 'happy thought' and going 'My dad... Peter Pan' like he's worshipping a god. It made me want to be sick in my mouth.

Once again I come back to my age-old plea - what the hell is it with Hollywood and Daddy issues?

 

[piinyouri]

Dustin Hoffman is absolutely brilliant in his role.
I love the movie, I really do, the issue here in the states is it tends to be run on TV all the damn time, ensuring anyone who has even a residual shred of good memories and enjoyment from it will loathe it's opening screen when they catch it channel surfing.

The opening scene where they are going through the house in the dark, and there is a line of damage where Hook has dragged his weapon across the house?

That scared me senseless as a child.

 

[kevboard]

WHAT THE FUCK? this movie got bad reviews when it came out? back then i was only 1yo so i didn't know this... wtf? everyone i know loves it and it was one of my favorite movies growing up. and i still love it, i watched it again a few months ago.

 

[Groverfield]

I think Tim Starlong chose this because it was critically hated, despite having what's needed for the critics to love it. Yes, everyone has told me to watch this repeatedly, but not critics. As much as the general public loves this film, it's sitting at a mediocre 6.5 on imdb when it almost deserves to be criterion for all that was mentioned here and a few shots framed almost Kubrician if they were toned down, but the over-the-top feel just adds to a cinematographic equivalent of the ancient epic tales.

Also, I know Jim did Hellraiser 3, probably my second favorite of the series, but if you really want a challenge, try defending Hellraiser:Revelations.

 

[Abomination]

Anyone who took issue with this film needs a prescription of "remove stick from arse". It did exactly what it set out to do and did it with a flair and style that is still remembered to this day.

Rufio, the attempted suicide, fat kid rolling down the gangplank as a bowling ball... it was essentially the spiritual successor to The Goonies.

Remove stick from arse, Rotten Tomatoes. Hook was brilliant.

 

[Comrade_Beric]

Where were we!?

Where was I? Jim, I was all of seven/eight years old in 1991. I was lucky to be sentient enough to like the damn thing, much less defend it from critics. That said, you can bet thy ass I'd defend it today.

 

[putowtin]

once started a shoutround (you shout and it is repeated over and over) at a music festival shouting "Rufio!"

Gawd I love this movie!