This is one of those movies that changes depending on where you are in life. As a kid I loved it for the adventure. As an adult I see something else: a dad who forgot how to be there for his kids.
The setup is simple and kind of brilliant. Peter Pan grew up, became a stressed-out lawyer, and forgot everything about who he used to be. When Captain Hook snatches his children, Peter has to go back to Neverland and remember himself.
Robin Williams carries the whole thing. Some people find his energy exhausting, but that’s the point here. You watch this uptight guy slowly wake up. There’s a moment where he finally flies again, and he isn’t just smiling, he’s laughing with real joy. Spielberg lets that beat breathe instead of rushing past it, and it lands harder than any of the action.
Dustin Hoffman goes big as Hook, and it works. He’s theatrical and over the top, chewing every piece of scenery he can find. Bob Hoskins as Smee is a delight and gets some of the best laughs. Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell brings more warmth than I expected.
Neverland itself feels like a storybook come to life: bright colors, enormous sets, everything built to feel larger than reality. It looks like nothing else.
It does drag in the middle. The film is long and a little overstuffed, and you may feel it a little. But the heart is so genuine that I don’t hold it against the movie. It’s about growing up without losing the good parts of being a kid, and that idea still sticks with me.
If you want a big, warm adventure and don’t mind a saggy middle, this one is easy to love. Come for the spectacle, stay for Williams learning how to fly.
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