FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE.Ā
Somewhere in outer space, teenager Jim Hawkins joins the crew of a universe-faring galleon as a cabin boy; he is befriended by a cyborg cook but doesn’t know that a mutiny is in the works. This Disney take relocates the old Robert Louis Stevenson tale to space but keeps many other details intact, resulting in a weird mix of 17th century naval adventures and futuristic robotics. Hand-drawn animation also blends with CGI, but in a much smoother way; this is a beautifully designed film. Some of the supporting characters are letdowns, but it’s entertaining stuff and the score is a stand-out.Ā
2002-U.S. Animated. 95 min. Color. Directed byĀ John Musker, Ron Clements. Novel: Robert Louis Stevenson (“Treasure Island”). Music: James Newton Howard. Song: “Always Know Where You Are” (John Rzeznik). Voices of Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Jim Hawkins), Brian Murray (John Silver), David Hyde Pierce (Doctor Doppler), Emma Thompson, Michael Wincott, Martin Short… Laurie Metcalf.
Trivia: The directors allegedly first pitched the idea for this movie to Disney in 1985, but were turned down; they finally got a “yes” after two more attempts in 1989 and 1992.
