neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Treasure Planet
	John Musker and Ron Clements Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brian Murray, Emma Thompson, David Hyde Pierce, Martin Short, Laurie Metcalf, Roscoe Lee Browne, Patrick McGoohan 2002		In 1989, the writing/directing team of John Musker and Ron Clements elevated Disney feature animation with "The Little Mermaid." Their subsequent 'toons, "Aladdin" and "Hercules," are among the hippest from the Mouse House. But the Musker-Clements triumphs make their misbegotten sci-fi warping of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island" doubly discouraging. "Treasure Planet" is set in a retro-future with space-faring open-air galleons and alien pirates. Young Jim Hawkins, ace of the flying skateboard, yearns to sail the galaxy. When a dying stranger gives him a treasure map, Jim becomes cabin boy on a ship bound for a planet where vast riches are hidden. Although the mix of hand-drawn and computer art impresses, the melange of styles clashes, and the frantic action is as meaningless as a video game. Shady cyborg John Silver was more menacing as human scum in the book. Science is ignored (no vacuum in space!) in favor of formula characters, flatulence jokes and a pink morphing thing who resembles the "Mr. Bubble" logo. Martin Short, David Hyde Pierce and Emma Thompson lend their voices.