review Hook For Kids

HOOK FOR KIDS

Never forget your childhood. That is what Steven Spielberg seems to utter through his latest film Hook. This Hollywood Prince, so he is called, is not going through changes: he likes exploring fantasy land, presenting strangely beautiful creatures and taking you-watchers –to the dream land full of wild fantasy.

His imagination is sometimes unpredictable. His skill in mixing up fantasy and reality turns out to be shocking so that it has produced so far a number of stunning and striking movies such as E.T.(Extra terestrial ) Jaws, Close Encounters, back to future, Raiders of the Lost ark, Indiana Jones, The Empire of the sun, and The Color Purple.

Hook is based on a classic fairy tale of Peter Pan, created by Sir James matthew. In the hands of Spielberg, its plot becomes far different from the original story. In this version, Peter Pan has grown up, having a beautiful wife and children. His name happens to be Peter banning and he is professed lawyer. He is so busy that he has no time for his family. He is workaholic- and this makes him lose his happiness and cheerfulness that used to have in his wonderful childhood.

Once his children Jack (Carlie Korsmo) and Maggie (Amber Scott) were kidnapped by captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Peter’s worst enemy. That is when Peter Banning (played by Robbin Williams) was just aware tat he made a big mistake. He intends to get his children back and it makes him back to an unknown country called Neverland- a country that possesses two suns and six moons. With the help of Tinkerbell, evr-glittering littlenymph, Peter banning goes back to where he used to belong to.

At lst Peter sees Captain Hook, the kidnapper, face to face. He actually keeps Jack and Maggie as hostages in his pirate-cruise. But there emerges a problem: peer Banning is no longer Peter Pan. He cannot fly and fight anymore. Even he always gets easily frightened (he is totally a jerk!) so that Captain Hook gets no difficulty to defeat him.

Once again Tinkerbell helps him to have his previous power by taking Peter to the circle of Lost Boys, his friend who are never old. It turns out that it is not easy to make Peter back to normal: becoming a powerful and cheerful boy. Peter pan. Assosiating with his childhood friends and remembering (more precisely: replaying) how to play his childhood games, Peter gets his power back. He then is able to fly and to be very good at fighting. Peter pan is back!

Hook is not far different from Spielberg’s late films which are full of imaginations. It costs truly a fortune. Imagine, Spielberg has to spend almost 70 million to accomplish this film! Of course, the result is not disappointing, even it is amazing. Highly complicated technique and sophisticated effects make this film a spectacular project he has ever made.

Hook gives him undoubtedly a good reputation as a story teller. Next, he is reputed as s producer, screenplaywriter, art director, special effect expert, editor and director. His all- round skill is well- known among film people in that he produces only spectacular works like E.T- placing box- office record that is not broken by other films yet until now. This beard- wearing director seems to specialize in producing only best- seller and entertaining films.

After all, Hook is really an entertainment- a fairy tale made with heaps of enjoyful amusements. You can bet on that. The name of Spielberg is a guarantee for laughter and excitement in a film; more ever, you can see how strong his actors and actrees are- among others, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Robberts, Bob Hoskins and Maggie Smith- who play their roles in reviving this tale. Beside, you will enjoy this for it is accompanied with the best music of four- Oscar- winner John Williams.

Philosophically speaking, it is not merely a fairy tale for kids when they go to bed. It speaks rather clearly that childhood is not something- especially for adults- to forget. If you think you happen to have a happy or nice childhood, why don’t you shape another for your children? If however, it is the reverse, you can simply get rid of it so that it will reccure to your children. Give only the best for them, will you?

Never forget your childhood- for the sake of your children.

(source :Daries / Dwi. (July 1992). Hello English magazine)