Hook

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Hook is available in Australia on Netflix and Foxtel Now, and in the US on fuboTV right now. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Dustin Hoffman sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Hook earns its spot. Hook gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. The boy who wasn't supposed to grow up—Peter Pan—does just that, becoming a soulless corporate lawyer whose workaholism could cost him his wife and kids. During his trip to see Granny Wendy in London, the vengeful Capt. Hook kidnaps Peter's kids and forces Peter to return to Neverland. Between them, Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams carry the comedy without ever forcing it. It hit screens in 1991. What keeps Hook from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Hook is a strong candidate. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Dustin Hoffman sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.