Treasure

Stars: John Weisbarth, Freddie Rible. This notably daft action-adventure film has three young lads--Dave, Freddy, and Jonathan--stumbling on clues that might solve the mysterious disappearance of Emerald Cove's lighthouse keeper and explain a bizarre boating accident which occurred some thirty years previous. When the boys find an old map, it looks like treasure may be involved too. Thwarting them in their efforts are the usual array of bumbling adults--four morons who will never be mistaken for Mensa candidates. Throughout, it's obvious that the filmmakers are aiming for a low-budget Goonies. Unfortunately, there are no special effects here (let alone sense of magic or wonder), and some genuine problems. One of the boys is overweight which opens the door for more fat jokes and insults than I think I've ever heard in a film. It's mean, it's unnecessary, and it's pretty uncreative filler for a story that seems to go nowhere for a long time. The other problem is the ending which leaves enough loose threads lying around to open a new fabric store. Audience: Those who think they're getting a Goonies-like adventure, but aren't.