Perhaps one of Williams' best kept secrets, this score is probably one of his most thematically rich and most enjoyable. The film itself was by Spielberg standards a flop, but I actually enjoyed and if nothing else, you can listen to the splendid score! Originally I heard Hook in the form of concert arrangements on the Williams on Williams Compilation and from that point I was, as it were, hooked. My favourite has got to be the flying music that most notably appears at the end of track 6 and track 13. This really is only rivalled by the flying music from ET, even then this is so good that I would consider it an equal. It displays unfailing energy and soars up and down in leaps and bounds punctuated by runs and smoother, more graceful sections. Second to that is the Banquet music, a sprightly march that appears on tracks 11 and 12. I have to confess that the concert arrangement on the compilation is in some ways better, but such is the nature of film music that this can often happen. In the midst of the action, there are some delicate and touching tracks. One of my favourite tracks is 13 which starts of with a short build up to a tremendous crescendo and then has a fairly long quiet and reflective section after which the flying theme bursts forth, a perfect combination of all the different moods in the film. Further, there is jazz in Banning Back Home and a song in When You're Alone. The song is a little on the sweet side, but it has such a wonderful theme that it's difficult to ignore it. The Ultimate War is almost eight minutes of breathless and fairly light hearted action and is one of the other highlights of the score. The only slight detractions are the last track which is a bit long and can become, dare I say it a little boring after a while. I think I would have preferred a slightly shorter version of that and the end credits, one of the only really important pieces missing on this otherwise fairly comprehensive and long score. Williams' very virtuosic writing is particularly apparent in this score and it then pleasing to note that the orchestra perform unfailingly brilliantly. This is an absolute must buy for any John Williams fan.

Rating ~

  1. Prologue (1:30)
  2. We Don't Want to Grow Up (1:50) (Song)
  3. Banning Back Home (2:22)
  4. Granny Wendy (2:57)
  5. Hook-napped (3:56)
  6. The Arrival of Tink and The Flight to Neverland (5:55)
  7. Presenting the Hook (2:58)
  8. From Mermaids to Lost Boys (4:24)
  9. The Lost Boy Chase (3:31)
  10. Smee's Plan (1:44)
  11. The Banquet (3:07)
  12. The Never Feast (4:39)
  13. Remembering Childhood (11:02)
  14. You Are The Pan (3:59)
  15. When You're Alone (3:13)
  16. The Ultimate War (7:53)
  17. Farewell Neverland (10:16)

Total Time ~ 75:23