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Treasure Planet

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Fifteen-year-old Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) joins the crew of an intergalactic expedition as cabin boy aboard a glittering space galleon. Befriended by the ship's cook, a charismatic cyborg (part man, part machine) named John Silver (Brian Murray), Jim blossoms under his guidance, and shows the makings of a fine "spacer" as he and the alien crew battle supernovas, black holes and ferocious space storms.

But even greater dangers lie ahead when Jim discovers that his trusted friend Silver is actually a scheming pirate with mutiny in mind. Confronted with a betrayal that cuts deep to his soul, Jim is transformed from boy to man as he finds the strength to face down the mutineers and discovers a "treasure" greater than he had ever imagined.

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Teen adventure science fiction treasure cyborg robot space ship

Persons of interest

Joseph Gordon-Levitt .... Jim Hawkins
Brian Murray .... Long John Silver
Emma Thompson .... Captain Amelia
Martin Short .... BEN (Bio-electronic navigator)
Michael Wincott .... Skroopf
David Hyde Pierce .... Doctor Doppler
Jonathan Swift .... Author: Treasure Island
Barry Johnson .... Storywriter
John Musker .... Screenwriter
Ron Clements .... Director
John Musker .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

Treasure Planet official movie site
Treasure Planet QuickTime movie trailers:
Studios and distributors:

Buena Vista International

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

I think that the worst part of Treasure Planet is that it tries too hard to appeal to the teen viewing demographic. Treasure Island Wonderland, shoot some hoops, hang out down at the nearest Timezone, ride a bike, chill out at the beach, play Nintendo, browse the internet, read a book and generally not have to worry about whether there will be food on the table for dinner.

The original was written in a very different time from today (and from the science fictional future in which the film is set) and the sense of adventure it portrays doesn't jibe well with the modern sensibility. Modern children (and youths) live in far more exciting lives than they did in Jonathan Swift's day (not being sent down the mines at the age of seven, or being pushed into industrial looms to fix the machinery at the age of eight, for example). Children nowadays are seen almost as a separate species, with the freedom and right to play lasting all the way to adulthood. Children nowadays are also not financially impoverished, so they can go and see a movie, take a trip to

That said, you'll find that Treasure Planet is a fun way to while away an hour and a half: good animation, some unusual characters, interesting situations. You'll also find that Jim Hawkins is very Anakin Skywalker (the angry young man Episode II version) in the beginning and Luke Skywalker (the "I can turn my father to the light side of the force" Episode VI version) in the end; it might have been a conscious decision on the part of Barry Johnson and John Musker or it might have been unconscious but it's too obvious to be comfortable. (Not that I'm accusing George Lucas of being original, but with the Star wars mythos writ large across the heavens all writers should be actively trying to avoid similarities).

Eat popcorn while you watch Treasure Planet, it will enhance your enjoyment.