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Part "Star Wars" part X-Games, "Treasure Planet" takes audiences on a wild ride through a fantasy universe filled with weird-looking aliens, plundering pirates, futuristic extreme sports, and one rebellious youth who is actually a hero in the making.

15 year-old Jim Hawkins (voiced by "3rd Rock From the Sun's" Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is not your typical Disney teenager. He's a troublemaking kid, unruly and undisciplined. His poor, single mother is at her wits end. She can't control him or break through the walls he erected to protect himself after his father left.

When Jim unwittingly gets his family involved with marauding pirates searching for the ultimate hidden treasure, he finds it's up to him to save his mother's restaurant and keep the family alive financially. He joins the crew of an intergalactic space galleon in an effort to get to the treasure first. Battling a mutinous crew, Jim faces both physical and emotional tests that force him to grow quickly from a pouty boy into a responsible young man.

Based on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story, "Treasure Island," this modernized, riotously animated tale features hand-drawn animation mixed with 3D virtual sets. The mix achieves a look that feels both old school and at the same time, crisp, fresh, and state of the art.

Adding to the overall beauty of the film is a talented voice cast who breathe life into the animated characters. Academy Award-winner Emma Thompson provides the voice of the feline-like Captain Amelia, the no-nonsense commander of the RLS Legacy. "Frasier's" David Hyde Pierce voices Dr. Doppler, an astrophysicist who accompanies Jim Hawkins and acts as babysitter, teacher, and comic relief.

One of the most engaging characters is B.E.N., a broken down robot voiced with manic delight by actor/comedian Martin Short. Though B.E.N. has less onscreen time than most of the lead characters, he is the most entertaining of "Treasure Planet's" weird assortment of creatures.

"Treasure Planet" has a little something for everybody, but it's kids who will really eat this one up. Amidst breathtaking chase sequences there's a story that's not preachy yet contains a good moral lesson. Even though I'm not a big fan of animated films, I found "Treasure Planet" to be fine family fun.

Overall Grade: B

"Treasure Planet" is rated PG for adventure action and peril.