Treasure Planet Appreciation Thread

[SpringHeelJack]

Flangy, I guess there needed to be more singing. Maybe if Shang and Mulan had boogied down to "True To Your Heart" we could count it as romance.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Flangy, I guess there needed to be more singing. Maybe if Shang and Mulan had boogied down to "True To Your Heart" we could count it as romance.

"Boggie" 'aint the same as waltzing or flying through the sky, plus they never actually touched each other with their lips.

It needs to really be spelt out with action and song lyrics, not romance specific spoken dialogue and body language, that's way to subtle for anyone to get.

[Goliath]

...Yeah, there's romance. I didn't say it was a romantic film, but there's romance in it.

No.

lolz, so a romance in development doesn't count? Last time I checked a romance has to start with an attraction of some kind between two people, and I don't need a dictionary to tell me that.

Who says there's a development? Maybe in the shabby cheapquel, but not in the original film.

Flangy, I guess there needed to be more singing. Maybe if Shang and Mulan had boogied down to "True To Your Heart" we could count it as romance.

Now I get why you are defending '2099net': you use the same tactics to put words in other people's mouths to make a flawed point.

"Boggie" 'aint the same as waltzing or flying through the sky, plus they never actually touched each other with their lips.

It needs to really be spelt out with action and song lyrics, not romance specific spoken dialogue and body language, that's way to subtle for anyone to get.

And I see Flanger is joining in. Can't discuss on the basis of what people actually said? Then make stuff up...

[Mooky]

Treasure Planet never really sat right with me, maybe because I prefer to have romance in my Disney movies - however cheesy it may turn out to be - and the lack of a potential love interest for Jim in TP kinda put me off.

Then how do you feel about Pinocchio, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, The Sword in the Stone, Jungle Book, The Great Mouse Detective, Oliver & Company and Mulan?

The best way I could describe Mulan is a war drama. And even though the romance in Mulan isn't in your face, doesn't mean it's not there. As others have pointed out, there are moments of high sexual (gasp!) tension between Shang and Mulan, you just have to pay attention. Btw, Mulan is in my Top 5.

And I didn't say I like only Disney's romantic epics, I just prefer those over "regular" Disney fare. That's why I don't particularly care for most of the movies you listed, especially The Jungle Book, nor do I gush over every romantic Disney movie (Pocahontas being the prime example).

[SpringHeelJack]

Now I get why you are defending '2099net': you use the same tactics to put words in other people's mouths to make a flawed point.

Whoa there, firecracker, when did I put words in your mouth? I said "I guess there needed to be more singing. Maybe if Shang and Mulan had boogied down to 'True To Your Heart' we could count it as romance," not "Goliath would only count the ending as romance if Shang and Mulan boogied down to 'True To Your Heart'." It's not always about you, Goliath. Jeez.

[Goliath]

Whoa there, firecracker, when did I put words in your mouth? I said "I guess there needed to be more singing. Maybe if Shang and Mulan had boogied down to 'True To Your Heart' we could count it as romance," not "Goliath would only count the ending as romance if Shang and Mulan boogied down to 'True To Your Heart'." It's not always about you, Goliath. Jeez.

Yes, you deliberately made it about me, and now you pretend it wasn't, just to cover your ass. That comment came forth out of the discussion you were having with me. It is so obvious. Don't try to hide it.

[SpringHeelJack]

...I wasn't denying it came out of the conversation. If you read closely, though, I never mention your name. Why are you getting so worked up about this? So worked up that you even have to use words like "cover your ass?" Maybe you're just reading too closely again? I dunno.

[Goliath]

...I wasn't denying it came out of the conversation. If you read closely, though, I never mention your name. Why are you getting so worked up about this? So worked up that you even have to use words like "cover your ass?" Maybe you're just reading too closely again? I dunno.

I'm not getting wokred up, I merely point out your covering up of what you did. No, you didn't use my name, but that doesn't make it any less about me. I'm not stupid, you know.

[Flanger-Hanger]

The Sword in the Stone, Jungle Book

Merlin's lesson on love and the song "A Most Befuddling thing" or Mowgli leaving Baloo for a girl don't count either? Good thing you didn't mention Black Cauldron or I would have pointed out the "I believe in you" scene or the ending for The High King.

anyway...

I love Dr. Doppler's flubbing of lines ("deplorable/adorable", "anatomically/astrologically") or reading of bits like his "I'm not a doctor line". DHP was great in the part and he was sort of a comic relief character who advanced the plot and had kids with Amelia! How's that for no romance! ("doctor, you have the most beautiful eyes").

And that scene with Cinderella freaking out about her awesome new dress? Talk about a chick flick! Glad I got the all-man Treasure Planet to watch instead!

[PixarFan2006]

I decided to watch Treasue Planet again last night. I found it more watchable this time, probably because I got too distracted when I watched it the first time.

I would say it's far from Disney's best, but it is also far from Disney's worst.

6/10

[CampbellzSoup]

I'd say there are hints of romance in Mulan even Mushu points out that Mulan likes the captian...so why it might not be romantic at core, there are smoe moments of Mulan fawning over Shang.

[ajmrowland]

I love Treasure Planet. It remains true to the book and some of the CG is well done, especially Silver's arm, and some of the Planet, itself.

[Goliath]

Merlin's lesson on love and the song "A Most Befuddling thing" or Mowgli leaving Baloo for a girl don't count either?

Of course they don't count! Unless you want to count the fact that a *squirrel* had an eye on Wart, who desperatly tried to get away from her! Or the fact that Mowgli followed a girl he had observed for just *10 seconds* into the village...

You know, you just want to make romance out of everything, and that's just not how it works. I would follow a pretty girl, too, if I only had just laid eyes upon her, but that doesn't mean there's a romance going on there...

[cms382]

I love this movie, best since Aladdin.
The marketing had always pushed me away from the movie, the whole solar sailing made it look crappy, but I finally bought it a few months ago and adored it.

[ajmrowland]

I'd be too nervous to follow any pretty girl, unless I already knew her.

[Disney's Divinity]

Treasure Planet is easily one of my favorite Disney animated films thus far. I absolutely love the characters/story and I find myself crying at "I'm Still Here" unlike with any other DAC post-TLK. I am also extremely happy that Disney did not add a love interest for Jim, as that would be infinitely stupid and undermine his entire maturation. Hence a similar plotline of independence and growth is somewhat hindered in The Little Mermaid. Another film where a love interest almost distracted the story is Alice In Wonderland (thankfully that never came to fruition, as that film's already distracted enough). This idea that every character needs to be paired up with a female equivalent at the end of a film, or story, is absurd and I despise whenever it occurs (it was one of my biggest issues with Harry Potter's end).

The character of John Silver is groundbreaking, in the sense that he has evil characteristics (such as murdering, stealing and greed) but also has a humanity to him. As is Captain Amelia, a female, with a prominent role, in a position of benevolent authority. The theme of divorce is also a new one for Disney, and I applaud them for finally approaching the subject.

I also agree with 2099net that the animation is fantabulously perfect, though I despise the CG effects that aren't integrated well (particularly the flying whales). Though I would mention that, even though I like this film, good or even remarkable animation does not make a film likable. Also, I agree that a flaw in the film is the use of the aliens, who irked me because of they're nonsensical and annoying designs. There was also some problems with the voice actors to me. Doppler, Amelia and especially BEN were all miscast, imo. But these are only minor issues in an otherwise perfect film.

And who would ever call Atlantis or Home On The Range the black sheeps of modern Disney films? Imo, the faults of those two films far outweigh their positives and make their negative records mostly deserved, whereas Treasure Planet failed financially despite a beautiful story, engaging characters and awe-inspiring animation.

And, for once, I actually agree with Goliath about the romances. Mulan and Shang's feelings are never expressed properly, although the feelings are there. Nothing actually occurs, so I can't really call that a romance. If we had an unrequited attachment to someone, something that is equally never expressed or developed, would we still call it a romance? Besides all that, few Disney films ever touch me romantically regardless if there is "coupling" present (I think Lady and the Tramp, B&tB, Aladdin and Hercules are the only films that have done it properly, though there are other films that attempt it).

[Rudy Matt]

I showed this to my wife on Sunday, and she loved it. "I really liked it!" she said -- she was born to a family of socialist-damn-near-communist parents, and they forbade Disney films -- she hasn't been to any of the theme parks and I've had to give her a weekly Sunday introduction to a new Disney film. Her parents didn't even show her Mary Poppins.

So last Sunday was Treasure Planet, and she was smitten with it. I haven't shown her the lesser features, i.e. Robin Hood, The Aristocats, Oliver and Co. -- we tried to slog through Brother Bear a couple weeks back after you guys were talking about it, but that movie is so bad she asked that I turn it off after the 1st transformation scene.

Surpising things she's liked:

Elfego Baca
The Black Cauldron
Zorro 1st Season (she sang the theme song for weeks)
Victory Through Air Power
Donald in Mathmagic Land
Mars and Beyond
The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Kidnapped (she loved it)
Atlantis

I'll post back with things she wasn't so crazy about -- but she loves Treasure Planet

[Kossage]

Treasure Planet is definitely an underrated film. It has its flaws but on the whole it's an interesting movie with a compelling storyline. The relationship between Silver and Jim is portrayed beautifully in many scenes (e.g. the wonderful montage and the farewell scene), and those scenes really show where the heart of the film is.

The idea of showing Jim's father leaving him and making it a parallel to Jim's bonding with Silver is wonderful. The revelation of Silver's true colours to Jim and the choice between treasure and Jim is also one of the poignant scenes that show what the film's all about. The overall story of learning to take responsibility for one's actions and growing up suits the film well.

The CGI looks distracting at times but it's nothing to worry about. The integration of Silver's cyborg arm, on the other hand, looks nice. There are many beautiful scenes animation-wise in the film, and overall it's very pleasing to the eye.

The voice actors do their work well and bring their characters to life. However, what really steals the show is the evocative score by James Newton Howard who makes the plot not only adventurous but also emotionally complex with its multitude of themes. His score enhances already powerful moments in the film such as Silver's farewell scene. The use of the two songs works surprisingly well too for the type of music they are, and they add nuances to the layers of the story.

Disney often advertises the more famous films but these not-so-popular films (such as Atlantis, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, Home on the Range) are actually quite successful as far as compelling storylines, beautiful music and interesting animation goes.

In short, Treasure Planet is definitely worth a watch.

[ajmrowland]

I'd state my opinion, but Kossage might push charges, I'd be that plagiaristic.

[DisneyAnimation88]

I've always loved "Treasure Planet" and think, along with "The Emperor's New Groove" and "Meet the Robinsons", it's a hugely underrated films that got lost in the disappointments of the last decade. It's not quite on the level of Clements and Musker's more well known pictures, but ultimately I thought it was a brave film for Disney to make. By that, I mean that I think the film would have worked as an animated feature if the producers had kept to the original story but the sci-fi elements distinguished TP and set it apart from it's predecessors.

I think the ultimate reason TP failed was that Disney killed it at the box-office by writing off the money they'd spent in production. Given half a chance, I think the film could have been a success, especially as the critical consensus seems to have been mostly positive.

My personal negative point about the film is it lacks a real villain like Israel Hands in the original book. The predictability of the John Silver character kind of let the end of the film down, but overall I've always enjoyed it whenever I've watched it. It also contains one of the best songs featured in all the Disney Classics, "I'm Still Here" by John Rzeznik.

"Treasure Planet" will never be held in the same regard as the upper etchelons of Disney's animated films, but I don't think it is anywhere near the worst. I think eventually, the film will come to be liked by the majority of Disney fans, despite it belonging in the so-called "Dark Age" of Disney animation.