Thirty-five years ago, Steven Spielberg released his updated take on the classic children’s story Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. Arriving in theaters in 1991 with enormous expectations, the film was toplined by four actors at the height of their fame: Robin Williams stars as an aged-up Peter, fresh off Dead Poets Society and Awakenings – and just a year away from Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire; Dustin Hoffman, riding high after his Oscar win for Rain Man, as the titular Captain Hook; Julia Roberts, newly-minted as America’s sweetheart after Pretty Woman, donning the wings as Tinkerbell; and Bob Hoskins as Mister Smee, following up his breakout blockbuster Who Framed Roger Rabbit. With a prime Christmas release date and a sweeping John Williams score, the film looked destined to become an instant Spielberg swashbuckling classic. Instead, a famously troubled production – marked by massive (and expensive) sets, shooting that ran 40 days over schedule, and a strained relationship between director Spielberg and ingénue Roberts – resulted in a film that critics were quick to call indulgent and uneven. Spielberg himself later admitted frustration with the project, and despite solid box?office returns, the film was seen as a disappointment during a peak period of Spielberg’s career. And yet the pixie dust of nostalgia has quietly rewritten the narrative: the film has become something of a cult favorite, embraced by fans who grew up with VHS rewatches. Now we’re dropping anchor in Pirates Bay to see if Hook conjures up any happy thoughts, or if it is better off getting lost, boy!
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