MOVIE: Treasure Planet
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Hyde Pierce,
Brian Murray, Martin Short, Emma Thompson
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Walt Disney Pictures
Reviewed by Louise Johnson

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Treasure Planet is, of course, based on the book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. In this animated futuristic version, Jim Hawkins is a fatherless teenager who grew up entranced by the legend of Treasure Planet. When a mysterious stranger crash lands on the rock Jim's mother runs an inn on and entrusts an incredible map to Jim's keeping, the treasure hunt is on. David Hyde Pierce is wonderful as usual, giving voice to the family friend who finances the journey and goes along. Brian Murray very convincingly gives voice to Long John Silver as a Cyborg who befriends Jim and begins to draw him out of his rebellious shell. Of course, as their ship nears the planet the map has led them to, Jim discovers that John Silver is the leader of a mutiny plot that nearly destroys them all, and matures into a confident young man as he finds the strength within himself to do what is right, despite his pain.

My 12 year old daughter and I greatly enjoyed this movie and I highly recommend it to parents of school-age children. There is some violence that could scare younger children. The theater was nearly empty when we went, though, as Treasure Planet and the new Harry Potter movie released very close together. What a shame. Check it out - this is one to own as soon as it's possible to do so.

© 2002 - Louise Johnson