In 2002, Walt Disney Photos launched Treasure Planet, which I personally think about to be one of many most underrated animated motion pictures of all time. It’s an animated science-fiction journey movie loosely primarily based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s traditional novel Treasure Island (See Additionally: The Finest Pirate Books That AREN’T Treasure Island).
By all accounts main as much as the film’s launch, Treasure Planet ought to have kicked ass on the field workplace. It had a stacked voice solid that included Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Hyde Pierce, Emma Thompson, Martin Quick, and Michael Wincott.
Regardless of having a proficient crew of animators and voice actors, the movie was a industrial and demanding failure, grossing solely $38 million domestically towards a funds of $140 million. Right here’s why Treasure Planet did not resonate with audiences and critics alike.
The Harry Potter Impact: A Crowded Launch Schedule
Treasure Planet was launched in November throughout a really crowded vacation season, which meant that it was competing with different big-name movies for consideration and field workplace {dollars}. Specifically, it was launched the identical week as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and techniques and Die One other Day – two extremely anticipated movies that overshadowed Treasure Planet within the eyes of audiences.
A Lack of Advertising
Regardless of being a big-budget movie from a significant studio like Disney, Treasure Planet acquired surprisingly little advertising help, save for just a few film trailers tacked to the start of different theater releases. This lack of promotion doubtless contributed to the movie’s poor field workplace efficiency, as many moviegoers had been merely not conscious of its existence or had little or no details about the plot or characters.
There ought to have been much more accomplished to showcase that the animated movie was like Treasure Island however with futuristic vibes.
An Unclear Goal Viewers
Treasure Planet was marketed as a family-friendly movie, however its science-fiction setting and sophisticated plot might have been too sophisticated for younger youngsters. Alternatively, the movie’s light-hearted tone and cartoonish character designs might have been too simplistic for older audiences who had been in search of extra mature themes and storytelling.
In different phrases, Treasure Planet wasn’t cool sufficient to seize the older crowd.
A Departure from Conventional Disney Model
Like Atlantis which got here out a 12 months earlier, Treasure Planet was a departure from the normal Disney fashion, which can have alienated some followers of the studio’s traditional animated movies. The movie’s use of CGI animation and a science-fiction setting was a major departure from the extra conventional hand-drawn animation and fairytale-inspired tales that Disney was recognized for.
A Lack of Emotional Connection
Regardless of its spectacular visuals and action-packed plot, Treasure Planet did not create a robust emotional reference to audiences. The movie’s characters weren’t as well-developed as they might have been, and their motivations and backstories weren’t totally explored. This lack of emotional depth might have made it troublesome for audiences to totally spend money on the movie’s story and characters.
Damaging Opinions
Lastly, Treasure Planet acquired blended evaluations from critics, which had a destructive influence on its field workplace efficiency. Whereas some reviewers praised the movie’s visuals and motion sequences, others criticized its pacing, lack of emotional depth, and departure from conventional Disney storytelling.
Treasure Planet did not resonate with audiences and critics for quite a lot of causes, nevertheless it was largely as a result of crowded film launch schedule, lack of selling, unclear target market, the departure from the normal Disney fashion, a scarcity of emotional connection, and destructive evaluations all doubtless contributed to its poor box-office efficiency.
Whereas the movie might have its followers, it finally did not seize the hearts and minds of a wider viewers and stays a footnote within the historical past of Disney animation.
The place to Stream Treasure Planet
If you wish to stream Treasure Planet on-line proper now, you are able to do so with a Disney+ subscription, which you’ll be able to sign-up for right here.
