Pirate gold, elaborate traps, winding waterslides and the inimitable 'truffle shuffle' - could this be the most accomplished kids' adventure of all time?
Richard Donner's treasure hunt demonstrates superb crossover appeal, thrilling kids and enchanting adults with its deftly-spun tale of derring-do. Thanks to Chris Columbus' lively script, the film crackles along at a fair old pace; there's spectacle too, with Donner sparing no expense on the film's elaborate sets - impressive on a scale barely attempted in today's green-screen-dependent features.
Though the film reduces its girls to mewling liabilities and shamelessly exploits both the token ethnic character and the obligatory fat kid, who cares when everyone's having this much fun?