Three top rated stars brings about the revival of the Peter Pan Saga which began many years gone by. There is no way that this film could have been anything but good with three of thespians that I rate as being top rated actors and actresses. In order to be a true actor in my opinion the actor must be able to assume various roles and make you loose yourself in their different characters.

Dustin Hoffman Played Hook!

I am always amused at how many people that I have come across that have seen this film and walked away without realizing that Hook was played by Dustin Hoffman. If you are one of the ones that didn't see through the disguise the character Hook donned, don't be ashamed. You are amongst good company. Actually I did not see this film at a press viewing the first time as I do many times. Instead I saw it at a friends home where I joined the show a little after the beginning and never saw the credits. I enjoyed the show but went away unaware that Hook was played by Dustin. Later I found out that he had a set of false teeth and a make over that really altered his appearance.

I have always rated Dustin Hoffman as being a truly great actor ever since the day he stared in the classic "Tootsie". Since that time he has assumed many roles like Hook where he has become the character he was portraying, and did so in the most talented and convincing manner. One other example, although there are many, is his part in the movie "Rainman". Dustin Hoffman was cast for the role that Tom Cruise played. However, he turned it down. He said that he wanted to play in the movie only if he could assume the role of the brother who had autism. We all know how that movie turned out. If you haven't seem it, I suggest you do, and I believe you can find it in the electronics department at Wall Mart. Because, as you know "KMart sucks!" I credit Dustin Hoffman as being the ‘Number One Rated Actor' in the entertainment business, followed by none other then the talented, acting skills of Robin Williams.

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Robin Williams

In my opinion Robin Williams is the ‘Number Two Rated Actor'. Williams' skills are not far behind that of Hoffman. I deeply respect both of their acting skills for the same reason. Not only can they be convincing in the roles that they assume, but they can assume innumerable roles in which they are not type cast, rather they are selected for their ability to act. Many good actors put out most entertaining movies, but are not able to achieve the level of versatility equal to that of Williams and Hoffman. (As an example: Harrison Ford, Richard Greer, and Tommy Lee Jones Although all great guys and excellent actors that have been in many excellent film releases, they seem to always be the same character in different situations.) Williams has been most convincing in far too many productions to list them all, but to name a few they include Mrs Doubtfire, Patch Adams, and Jumanji. Robin is cast as Pan who has grown to adulthood and his acting in Hook is as one would expect of him, excellent and convincing.

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Julia Roberts

Two of the best actors being in one production would make for no risk insurance policy against any movie not achieving rave reviews. Now add one of the top female actresses! The beautiful Julia Roberts plays the roll of Tinkerbell, and will make your return trip to Never Never Land one of the most pleasant journeys since your childhood.

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Steven Spielberg

There are only so many multi-talented directors in show business. Spielberg has the history of producing winners ever since E.T. Little did the public know that Steven Spielberg would prove to be E.T. himself. Exceptionally Talented! This time he has produced the film that bonds the generation gap between the young and old.

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Hook

When the movie begins Jack, formerly known as Peter Pan, or just Pan to his closest friends and rivals, has long since left Never Never Land and has forgotten everything he used to stand for as a leader of the boys of Never Never Land. I can remember as if it were yesterday, Peter singing "I'll never grow up, I'll never grow up...". Unfortunately for Peter he has opted to enter the world to become an adult. He loses all values he had as a youth and they are replaced by his business dealings as one of the most slimiest people on the face of earth, a lawyer!

He flies (via airlines) with his family to a banquet held in honor of Wendy. Wendy, who has been the overseer of a orphanage where Jack grew up, has aged like Jack. The difference being Wendy although old has not forgotten the value of all the things Jack used to hold important. It takes Captain Hook sneaking into the sleep chambers and kidnaping Jack's son, the eldest of his two children, which forces Jack's return to Never Never Land.

Jack (Peter), and his daughter accompany Tickerbell in flight back to Never Never Land. Some of the most impressive visual effects is seen during the flights over Never Never Land. It makes you a believer in the mythical fairy tail land's existence. Once in Never Never Land, he has to learn to fly again before he can stand a chance in battle against the villain Hook. To do so he must overcome his fear of heights.

Meanwhile, Hook has adopted Pan's son as his own, and gained his loyalty. He does this by showing him a level of attention that Jack, as a lawyer, was either unable or unwilling to give his son. Pan has to win his son's and the new resident's of Never Never Land trust and loyalties by rediscovering his own youthful values.

The film has everything that was in the first story line with the only things changing being Peter who left his youthful ways behind. Luckily Jack is successful in his attempt to rediscover his own youthful spirit and restore his rightful place as Pan. In the end he is reunited with his son as Pan is victorious in combat against Captain Hook in a one on one confrontation.

Upon returning home from Never Never Land Jack has a new outlook on life and his family is catapulted to their rightful place of importance.

This is a must see, must own production. I suggest getting it in DVD form as that media will be around for years. This is a film that should last forever and be preserved for the benefit of generations to come. It should Never Never be forgotten!

Greenspan

Just a short update... I popped the video into the VCR and viewed the film again tonight with my son and his five kids aged from 3 to 24 and I was proven to be correct. The whole crew was glued to the set. Truly hasn't grown old.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4