Hook by John (Film Composer) Williams (CD, Nov-1991, Epic (USA))

John Williams has composed over 30 film scores, mainley collaborating with Steven Spielberg and/or George Lucas.
He has bought to our auratory senses such memorable themes as StarWars, Superman, E.T., Indiana Jones, Jaws, Jurassic Park and many others which may have found you humming to yourslf on some idle tuesday.
But for me the score he composed for Spielberg's magical film Hook is quintessentially John Williams at his absolute best.
Right from the start with 'The Prologue' he introduces us the film's main theme, starting subtley with strings and coming to a crashing climax that already puts a childish grin on your face. A toe-tapping jazz number is presented in 'Banning Back Home', before the mood drops with sinister strings and deep horns in'Hook-Napped'
'Presenting The Hook' is definatley a heart-thumper. Starting slow and quiet, and building into the rousing, pumping, full orchestra march of Smee's Theme that will have you waving your 'air-baton' around, wishing you were conducting the orchestra yourself!
In 'From Mermaids to Lost Boys' Williams uses a female chior to great effect, in light soprano's and strings for the underwater scene, moving forward to introduce the listener to another sub-theme for the Lost boys.
'Remembering Childhood' is a sombre affair that brings the mood down and takes you away from the intricatley mixed themes from previous tracks, making great use of strings, flute and chior.
'The Ultimate War' takes you on a fast paced explosion. Weaving all character themes cleverley together so you never get lost on where the the action is taking you and who with. This finally takes you into 'Farewell Neverland' filled to bursting with slow strings, flute and harp to fill you with sadness that Peter will never return to Neveland, but finishes rousingly and beautifully to leave that silly, childish grin on your face once again.
I have only reviewed a few tracks from the score, and the others are no less glorious. This score takes you on a magical, emotional and believable ride through the film and Neverland itself. Rivaled only by his scores for Harry Potter And The Philosphers Stone and Jurassic Park, Williams has once again used the London Symphony Orchestra to take the listener on a breathtaking musical fairytale
So put this soundtrack on and look for the second star to the right, because I guarantee once you've discovered it, you will never want to grow up.

There is something extremely magical and mystifying about the music of the film. From the prologue that covers all the major themes such as Captain Hook's infamous horned theme, casting the profound image of him on his ship terrorizing the islands, to the song titled "You are the Pan" that is played when the Lost Boys finally see Peter Pan inside of his aged face, the entire soundtrack has a large piece of my childhood inside of it...It is very difficult for me to listen to it with others because I seriously begin to tear up when I remember the film, one of the most incredible experiences I have ever been blessed to be a part of. I adore this movie like none other....it has its way with me

This is undoubtly one of the most beautiful soundtracks I have ever heard. Hook is my favourite movie and the soundtrack is one of the most listened CD's in my collection. I really love the songs "Remembering Childhood", "You Are The Pan" and "Farewell Neverland". Every time I listen to this soundtrack I remember the first time when I saw the movie, when I was 4 years old. I recommend this to all soundtrack lovers and Williams fans alike.

John Williams has always been one of my favorite musicians. If you have liked any of his other music, or like this movie, you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended.

I bought this soundtrack because its one of my childhood best memories. Having the sound is just great since I haven't been able to find a french version of the movie. Audio quality is perfect and the content itself is very faithful to the movie. Just love it !