(rated PG, 90 mins.)
Duo impressive directors John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin”) turn their skills to little boys tackling the on-screen version of the adventure story “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Fifteen-year old Jim Hawkins is engrossed in the classic when he’s suddenly swept from the book into the adventure. Why read it when you can live it? Taken under the wing of the ship’s charismatic cyborg (part man, part machine) cook, John Silver, Jim blossoms under his guidance battling outer space storms, black holes and supernovas (via boat in a galaxy instead of an ocean) with ferocious intent. Taking animation to the furthest reaches of the imagination, with its 3D virtual sets, the Disney formula is ever present yet original. Animated voices include Martin Short as the annoying “B.E.N.”, Emma Thompson as the authoritative Captain Amelia and David Hyde Pierce as Doctor Doppler. While the effects are incredibly explosive, they’re kept warm with Disney cozy colors as opposed to other sci-fi feeling dark toned movies. The combo of boat in space and 3D may make this the most interesting Disney film, simply out of this world.
