I'm on a bit of a Pirate kick this last week or so. We've watched Treasure Planet, then Muppet Treasure Island, and then the 1950s Treasure Island, Peter Pan, Hook, and now starting Pirates of the Caribbean. I also picked up Treasure Island on Audible.
Of the 3 Treasure Islands I've watched (all are on Disney +) I have to say, Treasure Planet is the best of the 3. The Muppet one is a great parody, and the 1950s one is closest to the book (so far that I have read). Treasure Planet (TP) has a better adventure story with amazing characters, relationships, universe, aesthetic, and perhaps the best iteration of Silver (and my favorite versions of Smollett, Arrow, and Jim). In a blink and you miss it scene at the beginning, you can see Silver's silhouette leading the pirates to the Inn to find Billy Bones. I love that little detail! Jim and Silver has the most complex relationship and the ending that's scripted for Silver in the original story feels earned compared to the other 2 movies. I'll explain the spoiler below.
In TP it was Jim's decision to let him go, whereas in TI1950 and MTI it just didn't feel earned to me. That montage where we see Jim's past and his bonding with Silver and Silver really treating him like a son makes it add up at the end that Jim loves and respects Silver. Even everything post mutiny with the backstabs, Silver is looking out for Jim. In MTI, we see Silver save Jim when the treasure has gone missing, and Gonzo and Rizzo comment that they hang out so much together making Ginzo and Rizzo jealous, however Jim letting Silver go just felt hollow to me. It was like we were told they were friends but we just saw them goof around a bit. With the 1950 one, they did build a relationship, though tense at times. Jim seemed to let Silver go out of pity, or stress. He is quite young, and being conflicted fits, but I just didn't get that same feeling I did with TP. I can't quite put my finger on it (only watched it once) but I just wasn't sold on it. It was better than what MTI did though.
They did change Silver's backstory a bit in TP, but it all just fits! The 1950s TI's Silver did have moments where he reminded me of Jack Sparrow, Jim being his Will Turner. I will say, the fighting in the 1950s TI is so clumsy that its hilarious. I am also half expecting Jim to say "gee willikers mister!" as he seemed to walk out of a stereotypical 1950s sitcom and onto the TI set.
Fun fact: The Jim from MTI grew up to be a stand up comedian and is the current voice of 2D from Gorillaz.
In summation, I cannot sing Treasure Planet's praises any more than I can without just sitting you down to watch it. Its just beautiful.