This is one of the truest adaptations of the Peter Pan mythos I have yet seen. The characterization of Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell, The Lost boys, the Pirates, and especially Captain Jas (James) Hook, seems to make them all come alive in my mind. They were never as real to me as they were after seeing that show. To this day it remains to me as the standard through which all Pan Adaptations are measured.
What initially put me off to the show was the character designs of Peter, Wendy, and a few others, because I found that I was subconsciously comparing it to the Disney version. I had a hard time conceiving how he could've gotten a (brown) outfit like that, let alone the dagger that he used with it. Once I got over that and started judging the show by its own merit, I found that the writing and characterization was far superior to most other cartoons that were on the air at the time.
My memory of Captain Hook from the Disney version was that of an evil pirate who would lie, cheat, and steal...anything to get at the innocent boy that he hated named Peter Pan.
My view of Captain James Hook from Peter Pan and the Pirates is drastically different. For starters, he was portrayed (for the most part) as a highly honorable man...he valued telling the truth, education, good manners, and often went out of his way to keep his word, even if it meant letting Peter get away, when he could've easily taken him down on several occasions.
This was a Captain Hook that I eagerly enjoyed watching. And on several occasions, even felt sorry for him. He was a man that was deeply conflicted. He feared for his own mortality and often sought to find the key to Peter's gift of immortal youth.
Also, this Captain Hook looked menacing...not at all as whiny and effeminate as the one often portrayed by Disney.
Peter on the other hand was shown more realistically. He was forgetful, often very cocky, and sometimes got himself and his friends into trouble under the pursuit of endless fun. Yes, Peter made mistakes...but that is what I loved most about this show, the fact that it took the events from the book where it mentions that Peter and Wendy had many adventures while in Neverland, and expounded upon them to very interesting results.
I could go on...but these are a few things that I appreciate about the show.
I would love to see this series get picked up again, or get continued on in some fashion, it was a true gem.
