I had the interesting experience of working on this film as an assistant editor with Robert Paul. I had not been a part of principal photography, or even the initial rough cut. When it came to me, we worked on it steadily for 15-20 hour days for three straight weeks. I appreciate aspects of the film given its lack of budget, but there were far too many sequences where there was just not enough film footage to make much sense. It's kind of like the idea of the current Disney film 'Holes'. The Treasure is pock-marked with many craters.. It was a neat experience seeing it on the silver screen. Yes, it's not very good as a finished film, but it was a fun experience, and young kids (very young...) seem to enjoy some of the antics.
9 Reviews
an Instant UnForgottable Family Film!
sandlot199216 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In the Tradition of the classic 80s films including the Goonies and Stand by Me, comes one certain film for kids and adults would definitely enjoy since it's not on DVD that they both remembered watching back in the nineties when they rented movies long before Netflix came around.
the plot and story is very impressive, the cast is still good but some of the actors have been forgotten since who knows when, neat narration told by the lead character "David Shipper" and of course the music score is really nice.
the Story is very that simple, we're the protagonist David notice his cousin Jonathan is coming over for the summer during the 100th Anniversary of the Emerald Cove's establishment and they decide to have a camp out at the beach along with his friend Freddy who can be a goof ball most of the time, until they found a piece of a paper which happens to be a map and even read about the lighthouse murder that began 30 years ago.
around that time, Cap happens have lost his mind after he can't remembers his own name and start to think of the girl named "Sally Mae" and some bad guys who are more like the Fratellis and a little bit redneck (since this movie is filmed in California) who somehow in search of the treasure itself since Mr. Haley happens to be the lighthouse murderer and wore that uniform and pick-ax all along that look it came out of a murder mystery novel.
on and all, this is a unique family film ever to come out in the late 80s and early 90s since I've seen this many times at my local Blockbuster Video store in the early 2000s before DVDs became popular, if you love some films ever to come in the eighties like the Goonies, Explorers, Stand by Me, the Monster Squad as well as the Indiana Jones films In which they are kinda rated PG and it's third film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is given a PG-13 rating then this is worth seeing when you come across it on YouTube since there are a few other movies that never did get a DVD Release to this day including the Prehysteria Trilogy, Trading Mom and even The Gate II: Trespassers.
the plot and story is very impressive, the cast is still good but some of the actors have been forgotten since who knows when, neat narration told by the lead character "David Shipper" and of course the music score is really nice.
the Story is very that simple, we're the protagonist David notice his cousin Jonathan is coming over for the summer during the 100th Anniversary of the Emerald Cove's establishment and they decide to have a camp out at the beach along with his friend Freddy who can be a goof ball most of the time, until they found a piece of a paper which happens to be a map and even read about the lighthouse murder that began 30 years ago.
around that time, Cap happens have lost his mind after he can't remembers his own name and start to think of the girl named "Sally Mae" and some bad guys who are more like the Fratellis and a little bit redneck (since this movie is filmed in California) who somehow in search of the treasure itself since Mr. Haley happens to be the lighthouse murderer and wore that uniform and pick-ax all along that look it came out of a murder mystery novel.
on and all, this is a unique family film ever to come out in the late 80s and early 90s since I've seen this many times at my local Blockbuster Video store in the early 2000s before DVDs became popular, if you love some films ever to come in the eighties like the Goonies, Explorers, Stand by Me, the Monster Squad as well as the Indiana Jones films In which they are kinda rated PG and it's third film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is given a PG-13 rating then this is worth seeing when you come across it on YouTube since there are a few other movies that never did get a DVD Release to this day including the Prehysteria Trilogy, Trading Mom and even The Gate II: Trespassers.
Side-splitting hilarity (Dub's coming!!)
hp428114 November 2002
This is one of those movies that I loved because despite its efforts to be a normal, children's adventure tale, it actually turns out to be a comic gem. Why? The acting, the plot, the dialogue, the characters. This is one of those movies that made me exclaim "It hurts!!!" because I was laughing so hard. (Also check out "Trucks" for this same effect. I am 21 and I love this movie (maybe I'm just immature and easily entertained). I would give a lot to have this movie released on dvd with director/cast commentary.
awful "Goonies" inspired garbage
gasstro30 September 2002
I remember watching this when I was about 10. My mom rented it for my brother and me, she said it was going to be like the Goonies. Well, it wasn't. My brother and I thought it was the worst movie we had ever seen, up until that point in time. I've seen it a few times on tv since then and my feelings are the same. to be avoided
Can you say DOG?
makeupguy31 July 2000
A film so ridiculously deritive that you know what's going to happen as the opening credits come up. A film so bad that you don't care. The three kids mysteriously grow 4-5 inches in some scenes, obviously shot months later in order to help out the plot or because the filmmakers ran out of money and couldn't shoot the film all at once.
The deus-ex-machina ending is acted so badly that all actors and crew should hang their head in shame.
The deus-ex-machina ending is acted so badly that all actors and crew should hang their head in shame.
Lousy Screen Play
Snowgo1 December 2022
Ok. I'll have to admit that I watched 60 seconds of this and threw it out. The reson for this is because they broke my cardinal rule: Do not begin a movie with violence (especially murder). This type of scene requires some context, so must be led-up-to. The manipulation involved, here, makes me angry: We are supposed to view the murder of this lighthouse keeper and then just ignore that it ever happend and sail blithely along into the next, unrelated scene. Is this an attempt at de-sensitization? Or is the screen-writer and producer simply without any decency or morals?
The fact that this is a children's move makes the sin doubly-egregious.
You're probably thinking that I am over-estimating the importance or the influence these types of messages sends to kids, that murder is nothing to reject or oppose, that violence is "just a part of life".
Tell the story. Don't force-feed us your apathy and amorality. If you are going to include violence or murder in the story, at least give us a context and a reason.
The fact that this is a children's move makes the sin doubly-egregious.
You're probably thinking that I am over-estimating the importance or the influence these types of messages sends to kids, that murder is nothing to reject or oppose, that violence is "just a part of life".
Tell the story. Don't force-feed us your apathy and amorality. If you are going to include violence or murder in the story, at least give us a context and a reason.
Spectacular!!
Joe-54029 January 2001
I saw this Movie Back in 1994 When the movie had already been forgotten and passed on. I wasn't expecting much on that hot July day but I popped it in my VCR and let the good times roll. Watching this movie today reminds me of the simpler times of Kool-aid,Waterhoses,and City boys with rubber chickens.
Great adventure story for kids...and I thought the name was Tub!
AnneofGreenGables8321 March 2004
Every time I went to my grandparents to spend the night, we would go to the video store and rent this. It was a tradition that I miss now as an adult. The last time I saw it was when I was in Jr. High, I think, and I was spending the night with my cousins (one is 6 years younger than me, and the other is 7 years younger). We rented this and another film, and the one cousin was like, "lets not rent Treasure, it looks dumb!" The next morning, when my aunt asked her son if he had fun, he was like, "I liked the movie Mindy rented (Treasure) better than the one Katie rented (Monkey Trouble)" This movie rocks, and even kids today can enjoy it! I think it was amusing that it took several times viewing it to realize that the one guys name was Dub, not Tub! I think I would have preferred Tub. It was so much fun to call him that. I'd recommend this movie to any kid looking for an adventure story.
A Treasure within Treasure..
Hubear893227 July 2007
Intense action scenes...enticing wardrobe...quixotic narrations... What more can you say about this delectable movie? Three teeny boppers find an abandoned boatyard in Emerald Cove.
If you thought that the Goonies was the signature movie for the 90's, you haven't been on the tumultuous ride that Treasure takes you on. Treasure has you biting your nails and cracking your knuckles at the same time. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what these crazy kids are going to do next.
The film quality is impeccable. The sound quality is even more delicious. The adventure these kids take you on leaves you spun out at the end, wanting more. The villains are truly frightful, and the reality of using real overweight actors shows the heart of America, the overweight fast-food society of our generation.
Treasure is the signature movie for the adventures children of the 90's. If you have any culture in film-making or even film watching, Treasure is truly a family hit you don't want to miss. Two thumbs very up.
Sequel anyone?
If you thought that the Goonies was the signature movie for the 90's, you haven't been on the tumultuous ride that Treasure takes you on. Treasure has you biting your nails and cracking your knuckles at the same time. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what these crazy kids are going to do next.
The film quality is impeccable. The sound quality is even more delicious. The adventure these kids take you on leaves you spun out at the end, wanting more. The villains are truly frightful, and the reality of using real overweight actors shows the heart of America, the overweight fast-food society of our generation.
Treasure is the signature movie for the adventures children of the 90's. If you have any culture in film-making or even film watching, Treasure is truly a family hit you don't want to miss. Two thumbs very up.
Sequel anyone?
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