Jim on Film: Treasure Planet: 101 Reasons
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However, as a myriad of animated films have proved recently, the art of an animated film doesn’t matter if the story isn’t worth sitting through. While the characters and relationships in Treasure Planet are more complex than in prior Disney films, that is more of an advantage than a detraction. The actual plot of the movie needs little support. The book on which it was based has survived over a hundred years, which is a feat relatively few books can claim. I am extremely impressed, however, with what John Musker and Ron Clements did with it. With almost seven years under my belt as a teacher, I can say with certainty that the dilemma faced by Treasure Planet’s Jim Hawkins is one all too familiar to a growing number of kids. In short, to a boy, a father figure is a source of affection and discipline, an education on what it means to be a man, and a source of inspiration. I have personally seen the plight of Jim Hawkins reflected in the lives of numerous kids, kids who underestimate their value at the inattention of a parent and, as a result, seek desperately to understand how to be and act. The scene in which Jim overhears his mother venting her frustrations to Doppler is unashamedly real. As a result of this, Treasure Planet has two of the most emotional moments in all of Walt Disney Feature Animation. The flashbacks in which we see the emotional detachment and eventual abandonment by Jim’s father are delivered to us from Jim’s perspective, the misunderstanding of a little boy who can’t comprehend the adult problems in the world around him. The first time I saw Treasure Planet, my heart fell at that scene. Another powerful moment is when Jim thinks that his actions have led to Arrow’s death, a revelation made even more excruciating by its announcement in front of a stricken Captain Amelia, the entire crew, and Silver. In the face of yet another failure, Jim is destroyed, but Silver gives him a talk, reminding Jim of his worth. Pained, Jim reaches out for comfort, resting his head on Silver’s chest, leaving the affected Silver to awkwardly comfort him. It’s a simple, desperate action that speaks volumes to what is going on inside Jim and inside Silver. It is this relationship, so real and poignant, that gives Treasure Planet its power.

It’s also important to note the role that the style of the film has in the storytelling. In the original Disney Treasure Island, the crux of the story is the betrayal of a boyhood friend. In Treasure Planet, the crux of the story is the betrayal of a father. The contemporized historic settings allow for a Jim Hawkins who is most definitely a character of our time and would feel out of place in a true 1881 setting. Jim is very much a contemporary character with contemporary emotions, which is one of the strongest traits of the Musker and Clements take on the story. Without the visionary combination of old and new, the dynamic change within Jim Hawkins that firmly grounds the movie—his journey from directionless boy to focused man as a result of his time with John Silver—could never happen.

The fact this powerful story is surrounded by a fast-paced, exciting story that holds your attention and never lets go is really just icing on the cake. And there are many exciting moments in the film outside of its visual artistic merits. When Silver instigates the mutiny, Jim, Captain Amelia, and Dr. Doppler are forced to flee a ship of violent pirates, running fiercely to the launch boats with pirates on their heels. Just as they are about to escape, Morph manages to steal the treasure map, with Jim getting it just in time. Another scene of great excitement and suspense is Jim’s game of cat and mouse with Scroop. Having returned to the ship to find the actual treasure map, Jim runs into Scroop, who has already shown his murderous capabilities with Arrow’s death. In a wonderfully staged chase using all the computer tools available, the animation camera follows Jim as he escapes. Then the lights go out, allowing Scroop to hide. It’s an intense and exciting scene.

Of course, there are other elements to the story that are extremely appealing, namely the characters. While there are impressive subsidiary characters, the two most memorable are John Silver and Jim Hawkins. Both must have been delicate characters to create considering their unappealing sides. Just as Walt Disney and his artists faced challenges in creating an endearing Pinocchio character, there would have been a risk that Jim Hawkins would have been a troubled child beyond redemption, so sulky and rebelliously obnoxious that no one would want to like him (such as Pinocchio in Disney’s television musical Gepetto). Instead Jim Hawkins is painted in shades of reality, making him an affable fellow whose rebellious side grows from his pain. Much of this manifests itself in his relationship with another charming character, Morph, who proves himself to be so much more than a sidekick. While distant and gloomy with adults, it is with the childlike Morph that Jim opens up to reveal a gentler, more playful side, the Jim we saw in the opening. Similarly, in Silver, Musker and Clements have confidant, mentor, and villain, a fine line for any character to walk. Here is a character whose single-minded passion for money has cost him parts of his body and pushed him into doing some rather unsavory acts, including destroying the Benbow Inn, the sole source of revenue for a single mother. Furthermore, he starts out his relationship with Jim lacking any concern for his well-being, and then befriends him and fathers him, knowing that in order to achieve his dream, he will have to betray the boy. And yet through this all, his goodness shines through. His soft spot for Jim and his plight never allows him to harm the boy when push comes to shove. Imperfect and lacking responsibility, Silver finally accepts his role as the father and champion Jim lost so many years ago. When the film ends, we are able to look past Silver’s villainous traits and embrace him for all the good that he does.