Review of Treasure Planet (2002) by Lex M — 29 Sep 2014

Alright, I'll admit, I am a bit biased about this film because it just so happens to be my personal favorite of all time and my nostalgia blinders are pretty thick with it. However, I do feel that this film, both for what it is and considering the time it was released, deserves a lot of praise. Is it perfect? Is anything?

Let me be clear, I can understand what made this film forgettable for many, and if one looks back on it without nostalgia goggles, it's difficult to see why it is such a big deal for those who love it. After the release of recent forces to be reckoned with, i.e. Frozen, it's pretty clear that Treasure Planet, by comparison, didn't age as well as they will. That being said, there's still a lot Disney got right with Treasure Planet, and unfortunately, in the end, money talks.

First, I'd like to mention tone. From the character design to the settings to the music, everything all seems to flow together. Despite the old/new technology mix-up, nothing really clashes, and the intentional, steampunk style definitely helps. For a time when Disney had an obsession with soulless sequels, prequels, and other mediocre cash-ins, Treasure Planet was a breath of fresh air, with settings based on 19th-century oil paintings, decent CGI (for the time), a firm retelling of a classic story, and well-developed characters, not to mention an awesome and memorable reprise à la James Newton Howard. You can tell, especially among Disney releases at the time, real effort and thought went into this one. I suggest watching the behind-the-scenes extras to hear the production team discussing the inspiration, research, and design choices to get a better understanding, but you can tell it was made with love for the source material.

Next, I'd like to go out on a limb and say that Jim Hawkins is one of Disney's strongest young heroes to date. First of all, he's a fully fleshed out character with an attitude and his own disposition. Nothing about him feels borrowed; he is unique. Secondly, his backstory was a super rare occurrence in any Disney film if it can be found in ANY other than this one. His father LEFT him and his mother. There was no typical tragic Disney death of one or both of his parents. His father decided to leave of his own volition. Maybe it's because this personally hits home for me in more ways than one, but this is something incredibly painful to endure, especially as a young child, and it's not only a real-life occurrence, but is a complete deviation from the parricide Disney is so infamous for. This means Jim's pessimistic, wild-child demeanor makes sense. This also goes on to make his relationship with Silver all the deeper and more important. Jim doesn't understand why his father left. He's bitter. It's only natural for him to act out with no father figure in his life, and when Silver fills that roll, the changes both have experienced by the end of the film are drastic and for the better. Jim learns to believe in himself and to fight for a better future and Silver learns to love someone more than gold and jewels. Both are good lessons that were difficult for the characters to assume before their journey, and I'm sure everyone can take something away from them. Maybe it's less relatable on a grand scale, but this is probably some of the best character development Disney has ever put to film. Jim and Silver aren't the only ones to change, either. Captain Amelia learns to trust the competence of others and Doctor Doppler becomes more assertive, both through their relationship with each other which develops over the course of the film. Overall, the character development is present, makes sense, and serves a purpose. Perhaps B.E.N. was an unnecessary addition to the mix, but hey, I suppose someone had to fill the loud and annoying but occasionally helpful Disney archetype.

The story is obviously based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island, and all things considered, the adaptation is respectful to it. It takes both itself and the source material seriously and, though it's a child friendly film, is never dumbed down. The story is still raw, honest, and fun.

Treasure Planet was inspiring to see as a kid and the characters, story, style, and music ("I'm Still Here" is still one of my favorite songs to sing along to.) were all really memorable and hit home. Like I said, I am biased, but as someone who was still growing up with Disney at the time of this film's release, I still think it was one of the stronger of Disney's creations. It will never have the fan base of Disney musicals or the marketability of most other works in their roster, but it doesn't seem that it was meant to be anything like that from the get-go. I think Treasure Planet was made with the intention of making a good, strong movie with pure intentions and artistic direction. It will always be underrated and swept under the rug as a financial failure, but for those of us who did enjoy it and saw it both for what it was and what it was always meant to be, it will continue to inspire and be an example of Disney making something because it was good, not because it was profitable. That's why, despite what anyone might complain about, I have to give this movie a 10/10. It is what it was meant to be.

Xx.