What would happen if Peter Pan grew up?  That is the question posed by Steven Speilberg in a new look at the Peter Pan legend.  Peter Banning was adopted as a child and grew up to be a pirate, according to his son.  When he travels with his family to England to visit his wife's grandmother Wendy, Peter's children are kidnapped by someone who seems to want to play a prank, considering that Granny Wendy was the inspiration for the Peter Pan stories.  Peter is lying alone in the room his children were taken from when Tinkerbell wisks him away to Neverland, where Captain Hook holds Peter's children.  Peter must remember who he is in three days to rescue his children, and possibly himself from the ravages of forgetting what it is like to be a kid.

Availability:
    VHS:  Pan and Scan

Cast/Crew
Steven Speilberg                Director/Producer
        Saving Private Ryan
        Amistad
        Schindler's List
        Jurassic Park
        The Lost World:  Jurassic Park
        Always
        ET The Extra Terrestrial
        Close Encounters of the Thrid Kind

Robin Williams                  Peter Pan/Banning
        What Dreams May Come
        Good Will Hunting
        Aladdin
        Jack
        Dead Poet's Society
        Good Morning Vietnam
        Popeye

Dustin Hoffman                  Captain Hook
        Rainman
        Tootsie
        Wag the Dog
        Kramer vs. Kramer
        Death of a Salesman
 
Miscellaneous:
   Singer Phil Collins of Genesis makes a cameo as the representative from Scotland Yard who comes to investiate the kidnapping.
    Actress Glen Close plays the pirate who goes into the Boo Box.

MPAA Rating:
    PG  Some language (?)  Swashbuckling violence.

My Rating:
    While Speilberg is one of my favorites, this film lacked something, and though I can't put it into words, you can feel that there is something not quite right.  It is fun, and the premise is great, but I'm not sure that this would be one of my favorites.  It's good for at least a one time watch, and if you enjoy it, go ahead and get it.  I did.
    ***
A-I                Night at the Movies