A movie that has been dubbed one of the greatest kids’ films ever made – and a ‘masterpiece’ by fans – is now available to stream in the UK.
Starring a truly impressive cast, led by Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Dame Maggie Smith and Bob Hoskins, Hook captured a generation with its magic when it was released in 1991.
And as of this week, it’s now available to watch for free for subscribers on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
A swashbuckling and imaginative retelling of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, the film sees the villainous Captain James Hook (Hoffman) kidnap Peter’s children, forcing the now adult lawyer (the late, great Williams), who has forgotten his past, to return to Neverland and the Lost Boys and reclaim his youthful spirit so he can challenge his old enemy.
Roberts was the sassy Tinkerbell, Hoskins was Smee and Dame Maggie was tear-jerkingly good as Granny Wendy (with Gwyneth Paltrow as her younger self), now in old age after her childhood exploits with Peter.
The cast also included music icon Phil Collins, Caroline Goodall and Dante Basco as the iconic Rufio, leader of the Lost Boys and source of many awakenings for younger viewers. (Can I get a ‘Rufi-OHHH!’?)
‘This is truly one of the greatest childhood movies, I just introduced my 4&5 year-old to this movie this evening and they were engrossed from the second it started. I even cried a few times with pure happiness for the memories it brought back,’ Ciara B praised on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, while Abigail M agreed it was ‘the best childhood film of all time’.
‘This defined my childhood. I was completely enthralled by this movie. I watched it for the first time in 25 years this past weekend and it was just as perfect as it was then,’ wrote user Laur M.
‘Hook is a masterpiece of film. There is nothing more to say. It’s perfect,’ added Michael R, while Eoin W simply stated alongside his five-star rating: ‘It’s my childhood so that’s enough.’
The movie, directed by the one and only Steven Spielberg, was also included in a list of the five greatest kids’ films ever, according to actor Will Poulter.
‘I remember the number of times I watched it as a kid. It’s one of Robin Williams’ best and most enigmatic performances. I also think it’s the best recreation of Peter Pan. Plus Dustin Hoffman as Hook is pure entertainment and terror,’ the We’re the Millers and Death of a Unicorn star wrote for Shortlist.
Shockingly, Hook was not as well received by (adult) critics upon its release, and has a measly – and highly controversial – 29% rating from the professionals on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews picking at its unevenness and ‘terrible child roles’.
But fans rate it almost 50% higher, at 76%, and fiercely defend it.
‘The critics were obviously out for blood here. Not a perfect Spielberg film, but pure magic. You cannot watch Robin’s performance without a tear and a smile,’ insisted Mark M.
And Alberto H asked: ‘What kind of world are we living in that this movie is not rated 100… there is no hope.’
For a nostalgically 90s slice of action-adventure-comedy, with a little bit of that Spielberg wonder sprinkled on top, Hook is heard to beat.
Hook is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.
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