“After all, what would the world be like without Captain Hook?”
Whenever I’m asked what my favorite movie is, I respond — almost instantly — with Hook.
Hook tells the story of a grown-up Peter Pan in the real world who forgot that he once flew in tights, frolicked in forests, and fought pirates. After Captain Hook kidnaps Peter’s children, he must return to Neverland and inevitably face his nemesis and his past.
While the movie wasn’t favored by critics, giving it only a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 250 million moviegoers found it as “one of the greatest” and even a “masterpiece”.
Among those millions is me. Here’s why:
Four Things I Love About It
1. From the Mundane to the Magical
The film begins as if it’s simply about an ordinary family facing problems — a strict, workaholic man-of-the-house, children who resent their father for being virtually absent, and a mother holding the emotional fort.
But then, what appears as a “usual” case of kidnapping through an open window, the movie soon transports you to a world where you get dusted by fairies to soar the skies and kissed by mermaids to breathe underwater.
Also, the playful transition from normalcy to fantasy within a bedroom setting while paying homage to Peter Pan’s shadow-chasing woes was a nice touch.
2. A Glimpse (or Gist) of 90s Kids’ World
If you’d ask for a word to describe what the 90s were like to kids back then, one instant — if not definitive — answer would be colorful.
Perhaps that’s why these childhood images are burned into our heads so vividly. From our toys to our clothing, everything had a splash of color or very bright hues of it.
Imagination was a universal friend back then. It was a constant company to either pass the time or when things quieted down. Clothespins transformed into robots, newspaper turned into boats, and rubber bands morphed into stars (or to an impromptu slingshot).
The scene where Peter finally learns to “play” by throwing a dollop of what seems to be a cross between mush and edible Play Doh captures or encapsulates that colorfulness and imagination in a way.
3. Belief, Belief, Belief
As perhaps all crafty and subtle antagonists do, they aim to weaken not only the protagonist’s physical strength but their emotional and mental vitality.
When Capt. Hook has Peter Pan’s life under the mercy (or lack thereof) of his sharp metal hook, he tries to convince Peter that he’s not really Pan and that it was all a dream.
But then the Lost Boys (Pan’s childhood friends), Tinkerbell (his fairy friend), and Peter’s children each say “I believe in you, Peter Pan”, and he regains his confidence and, consequently, his might.
It’s a powerful message on believing in yourself. But it’s also a reminder of the reality of sheer support, especially from those whom you regard deeply and love dearly. As the song goes, “It’s an easy thing to do, if you’ve got someone who believes in you.”
4. Live It Before You Lose It
Especially in today’s world where distractions and pressures multiplied and drew nearer in digital forms, it may be easy to take life and time for granted.
Time that otherwise should have been spent on family, friends, and yourself — be it raising your children with laughter and love and seeing their growth and maturation; taking a pause to reflect, meditate, or pray; or doing something you’ve been putting off for lack of time, opportunity, or even bravery.
The movie is a reminder to stop and smell the roses, refocus on what’s truly important, and to remember what it was like to be a child (and understand that when dealing with children, the sugar does help let the medicine go down).
Of course, regressing to childhood is impossible and unnecessary. But to aspire to be like one who is carefree, genuine, indiscriminatory, guileless, and hate-free is possible and vital.
After all, wouldn’t the world be better and safer with far less of the likes of Capt. James Hook and more of the responsible Peter Pans?
Just my two cents. Thank you for reading.