Overview: Young Jim Hawkins is the only one who can successfully get a schooner to a legendary Island known for buried treasure. But aboard the ship is a mysterious cook named John Silver (Emmy winner Eddie Izzard, The Riches), whose true motivation on the journey challenges Jim's trust in the entire crew. This is an exciting and atmospheric new take on the definitive pirate action adventure of reckless buccaneers, buried fortunes and a friendship forged in peril on the high seas.

DVD Verdict: I actually watched this film (a two-parter at the time) back in the UK this past Christmas - and loved it! Sure the mid-section drags somewhat, but the start and definitely the end make up for that tri-fold!

As you should all know by now, Treasure Island (in general) is a fantastic book to read. My goodness, author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote so well, so indepth, so vividely that the descriptions and story come alive when simply reading it. And, again, as we all should know by now, the book has been made into a film more than once. Indeed, the most famous starring Wallace Beery in 1934 and Robert Newton in 1950. Both stuck to the story at hand and told of the adventures of young Jim Hawkins and the infamous pirate Long John Silver.

And so, and as expected, this new production does the same but alters the tale a bit. I mean, it does star Eddie Izzard so what did you expect? Choosing not to begin with the arrival of Billy Bones at the Inn Jim and his mother run, it starts with Capt. Flint and his treachery towards his crew; before then returning to the original tale.

Bones holes up in the Inn and tells Jim to let him know if he sees any sea faring man arrive. When one does, Bones knows his days are numbered. After he dies, Jim takes control of his possessions including a treasure map he finds. Seeking help from friend and local doctor Livesy, the pair unite with Squire Trelawney and set out in search of the hidden fortune.

As the now-acquired company prepares to sail Long John Silver gets himself hired on as cook. When there seems to be a shortage of sailors to make the tide, he inserts members of his past crew in key positions to help him later take over the ship. None of this is apparent to Jim as he first enjoys the adventure he is on and later begins to think of forming a pact with Silver after Trelawney has told him and the doctor his intentions.

And so as we set sail unto the wonderous journies that lay ahead, treachery is the name of the game! And eventually Silver and his men take over the ship once they get to the island. But, you all knew that would happen anyway, didn't ya?

This new version of 'Treasure Island' is a very entertaining one and I would recommend it to one and all. As a pirate movie that can stand side by side with the first 'Pirates Of The Carribbean' movie, it is owed at least one viewing for that alone, is it now?! Anyway, I enjoyed it and I think you will too. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.77:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.