Disney decided to adapt another classic this time in the form of Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, giving it a futuristic make over in order to give us Treasure Planet. To be honest I think this is probably Disney's most underrated modern feature, it doesn't get mentioned often even though it works as a great update of the novel and as a fantastic film in its own right.
The story follows rebellious teenager Jim Hawkins who discovers a map that leads across the galaxy to legendary loot of Captain Flint on Treasure Planet. Jim and Dr. Doppler gather crew to set off and find the planet. After not having a father figure, Jim bonds with the ships half- cyborg cook John Silver. But Jim's trust might be misplaced as he discovers the crew are mutinous pirates and it becomes a race against time to find the treasure. The story does a great job of updating the novel, it never strays too far from the original outline but the way it brings the futuristic aspects into play is really excellent. I really liked how well paced the story was, it moved at a nicely brisk pace but still took a lot of time out to develop these characters and that was very effective in make everything more engaging.
The animation really is superb and has some of the best visuals that Disney will ever produce. The world that is created here is one of immense wonder and dream-like beauty. The Sci-Fi elements are crafted with such imagination that it's virtually impossible not to be sucked into this world. There is so much colour and life to the animation, the visuals of jet-powered ships and the glowing stars are really something to see. The idea of having a space setting is really an ingenious one and it helps to make what is a familiar story more diverse. The Steampunk element added is another wonderful idea, seeing all these futuristic aspects mixed in with pieces from the 19th century add even more magnificence to the visual tone.
The characters are also very memorable. Jim is a likable lead, he is unruly but doesn't go too far down that obnoxious teen road. I like how he isn't perfect but has likable characteristics and the relationships he has are well developed, future star Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a good job voicing him too. John Silver is a great conflicted character, he's funny and witty but he has a dark side while also being very caring. He is well developed as the more he is with Jim the more unsure he becomes of what he truly wants. Doppler is an amusing character as he's clearly out of his depth which is funny and he gets some good lines though I guess he is a little annoying at times. Captain Amelia is very enjoyable, she's a fast-talker but has great determination and is voiced with energy by Emma Thompson. Martin Short voices the forgetful robot B.E.N and though he brings some good energy to the role he can also get annoying. Scroop is a very good character, his design itself is creepy and gruff voiced Michael Wincott does a great job.
Another thing that stands out is the relationships. They really flesh- out certain aspects and that works well in drawing you into the story more. There does feel like a strong connection between Jim and Silver, they do seem to genuinely care about each other and Silver refuses to bring any harm to Jim. I also like how Disney took a different and more mature approach to Jim, his father wasn't killed but instead just left. That is a more interesting route for the film to take and is a smart way to explain Jim's resentments as he worries that he isn't good enough, it also makes sense for Jim to want Silver to be the father he didn't have. I also liked Jim's loving but rocky connection with his mother as well as the bond that develops between Doppler and the Captain.
Elsewhere the music is very impressive. The score by James Newton Howard manages to convey sweeping adventure with some very delicate pieces. I especially like the music in the scenes with Jim and Silver as it shows perfectly the tender relations between the two. John Rzeznik provides songs, the superb 'I'm Still Here' is featured in the film and is an excellent song that fits in well. Most of the dialogue is nicely crisp and keeps that timeless speech that really fits well, avoiding the Disney trap of modernising speech. Some of the action set-pieces are also very exciting and well done.
Where there issues? There are some minor ones. There are times when the jokes are a bit too deliberately immature or the scene is just a bit too silly, it can just take you out of the story a little bit. As noted some of the characters can get a little annoying. Also I don't think some of the CG sets that well among the traditional techniques at certain points.
Overall though Treasure Planet is an extremely enjoyable adventure and is arguably Disney's best 2D feature since the Renaissance days. As said the visuals are among some of the best Disney has put to screen and such an interesting world is created. The characters are mostly very engaging, the storyline sticks to the novels basis well enough and I found myself actually caring about the connection that was built up between Jim and Silver. The music was also very good and the action scenes were a lot of fun. Treasure Planet still remains somewhat underrated and actually has a great deal to enjoy.
The story follows rebellious teenager Jim Hawkins who discovers a map that leads across the galaxy to legendary loot of Captain Flint on Treasure Planet. Jim and Dr. Doppler gather crew to set off and find the planet. After not having a father figure, Jim bonds with the ships half- cyborg cook John Silver. But Jim's trust might be misplaced as he discovers the crew are mutinous pirates and it becomes a race against time to find the treasure. The story does a great job of updating the novel, it never strays too far from the original outline but the way it brings the futuristic aspects into play is really excellent. I really liked how well paced the story was, it moved at a nicely brisk pace but still took a lot of time out to develop these characters and that was very effective in make everything more engaging.
The animation really is superb and has some of the best visuals that Disney will ever produce. The world that is created here is one of immense wonder and dream-like beauty. The Sci-Fi elements are crafted with such imagination that it's virtually impossible not to be sucked into this world. There is so much colour and life to the animation, the visuals of jet-powered ships and the glowing stars are really something to see. The idea of having a space setting is really an ingenious one and it helps to make what is a familiar story more diverse. The Steampunk element added is another wonderful idea, seeing all these futuristic aspects mixed in with pieces from the 19th century add even more magnificence to the visual tone.
The characters are also very memorable. Jim is a likable lead, he is unruly but doesn't go too far down that obnoxious teen road. I like how he isn't perfect but has likable characteristics and the relationships he has are well developed, future star Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a good job voicing him too. John Silver is a great conflicted character, he's funny and witty but he has a dark side while also being very caring. He is well developed as the more he is with Jim the more unsure he becomes of what he truly wants. Doppler is an amusing character as he's clearly out of his depth which is funny and he gets some good lines though I guess he is a little annoying at times. Captain Amelia is very enjoyable, she's a fast-talker but has great determination and is voiced with energy by Emma Thompson. Martin Short voices the forgetful robot B.E.N and though he brings some good energy to the role he can also get annoying. Scroop is a very good character, his design itself is creepy and gruff voiced Michael Wincott does a great job.
Another thing that stands out is the relationships. They really flesh- out certain aspects and that works well in drawing you into the story more. There does feel like a strong connection between Jim and Silver, they do seem to genuinely care about each other and Silver refuses to bring any harm to Jim. I also like how Disney took a different and more mature approach to Jim, his father wasn't killed but instead just left. That is a more interesting route for the film to take and is a smart way to explain Jim's resentments as he worries that he isn't good enough, it also makes sense for Jim to want Silver to be the father he didn't have. I also liked Jim's loving but rocky connection with his mother as well as the bond that develops between Doppler and the Captain.
Elsewhere the music is very impressive. The score by James Newton Howard manages to convey sweeping adventure with some very delicate pieces. I especially like the music in the scenes with Jim and Silver as it shows perfectly the tender relations between the two. John Rzeznik provides songs, the superb 'I'm Still Here' is featured in the film and is an excellent song that fits in well. Most of the dialogue is nicely crisp and keeps that timeless speech that really fits well, avoiding the Disney trap of modernising speech. Some of the action set-pieces are also very exciting and well done.
Where there issues? There are some minor ones. There are times when the jokes are a bit too deliberately immature or the scene is just a bit too silly, it can just take you out of the story a little bit. As noted some of the characters can get a little annoying. Also I don't think some of the CG sets that well among the traditional techniques at certain points.
Overall though Treasure Planet is an extremely enjoyable adventure and is arguably Disney's best 2D feature since the Renaissance days. As said the visuals are among some of the best Disney has put to screen and such an interesting world is created. The characters are mostly very engaging, the storyline sticks to the novels basis well enough and I found myself actually caring about the connection that was built up between Jim and Silver. The music was also very good and the action scenes were a lot of fun. Treasure Planet still remains somewhat underrated and actually has a great deal to enjoy.