Treasure Planet (2002)

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker

Writer: Ron Clements, John Musker, Rob Edwards (Screenplay) Robert Louis Stevenson (Novel)

Starring: (Voice Talents) Roscoe Lee Browne, Dana A Davis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Laurie Metcalf, Brian Murray, David Hyde Pierce, Martin Short, Emma Thompson

Story: An alternative take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island with a space element to it. Jim Hawkins (Gordon-Levitt) a teenager who seeks adventure in all the wrong places and has many run ins with the law, much to the disappointment of his mother Sarah Hawkins (Metcalf). One-day adventure finds when Billy Bones (Patrick McGoohan) crash lands at the family Inn. Bones passes on a map to the legendary Treasure Planet and after pirates destroy the family Inn looking for the map the Hawkins escape.

Doctor Doppler (Hyde Pierce) a family friend agrees to fund a space exploration to find Treasure Planet. He hires Captain Amelia (Thompson) a cat like figure and her first mate Mr. Arrow (Browne) a golem figure. The rest of the crew are full of a range of different creature and lead by Cyborg John Silver (Murray). With the adventure under way what series entertaining and funny characters including Morph a shape shifting blob, B.E.N. (Short) a robot that has completely lost his mind and many others.

Verdict

Story: Treasure Island is one of the great books and Hollywood seems to have made countless adaptation of the story, this one adds a new fresh spin to the story. Filled with a series of likeable characters. A space adventure over sea adventure makes the possibilities almost endless to what could have been created. A classic tale that most people will already know the basic story but still always a good watch or read with slight different takes on it. (9/10)

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins The enthusiastic teenager who seeks adventure in his normal life. Joseph casting as the voice works perfectly as he would be the right age for match Jim and you can hear his enthusiasm shine through on his character. With the desire for adventure I will give this character my Favourite Character  (9/10)

Brian Murray as John Silver The villain who becomes a father figure to Jim. Making him a Cyborg adds to his character showing how he can perform many tasks at once and keeping his human factor, which is key to his character development.  (9/10)

David Hyde Pierce as Doctor Doppler Family friend who also seeks adventure but clearly has never even attempted to start his own, David is a great choice for the voice hear as he is very much narcotic which he pulls of very well without being to over the top I will give this my Star Performance (9/10)

Emma Thompson as Captain Amelia The no nonsense Captain who will do anything to protect here trusted crew mates, even though Emma Thompson is a great actress this voice role doesn’t really suit what we are used to from her and also not being one of the leads doesn’t promote her performance.  (7/10)

Martin Short as B.E.N. The crazy robot who has literally lost his mind, loud, erratic add a good amount of comedy to the story but joins the story a bit too late to really get full effect of character, but still a very enjoyable character to watch. (9/10)

Director: Ron Clements and John Musker Following on from their successes with Aladdin and The Little Mermaid these two both have pedigree for success I feel they did an excellent job with this pieces of directing.  (9/10)

Action:  The space peril action sequences are very well constructed along with the jet boarding Jim does from the open sequence to the conclusion are edge of your seat material. For animated the action is one of Disney’s best. (9/10)

Comedy: The support characters provide the comic relief through the film with Morph having most of the funny lines or shape shifting creations. (8/10)

Sci-Fi: The inculcation of the space element add the sci-fi side to the story, Having a supernova leading to a black hole adds some almost educational factor to what goes on in space. (8/10)

Animation: When you point this film up against any Pixar film the animation isn’t up to that level, still having an old animation feel to it which isn’t all bad though. (7/10)

Music: With one of the best songs from a Disney film ‘I’m Still Here’ you can’t but enjoy this film just waiting to hear the incredible song. (9/10)

Suggestion: If someone said a good Disney film this wouldn’t be on many peoples list, which is a bit disappointment as this is one of the best Disney films I have seen full of everything that a true film fan will enjoy (9/10)

Best Part: I’m Still Here video Montage one of the best I have seen.

Worst Part: Its underratedness is one of the worst things many people just over looked this film.

Favourite Quote: ‘Now, you listen to me, James Hawkins. You got the makings of greatness in you, but you got to take the helm and chart your own course. Stick to it, no matter the squalls! And when the time comes you get the chance to really test the cut of your sails, and show what you're made of! Well, I hope I'm there, catching some of the light coming off you that day. ’

Overall: A top Disney action adventure well worth a watch and the classic tale should add to its appeal.

Rating 90%

Trailer