Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

Hold on tight...I'm gonna say something that will no doubt shock many of you. I don't particularly like "Treasure Island". I think it's a bit silly and there have been way too many versions. So, I wasn't exactly excited when my daughter suggested we see the film. Fortunately, this Muppet version offers enough to make it worth seeing--unlike the typical version of this classic (but dull) tale.The plot is very similar to the original story but with (fortunately) many Muppet touches. When the film sticks to the original plot and (especially) the original style of language, the film lags a bit. But, when silly stuff is tossed in, the audience's interest is piqued and the film becomes quite clever. A few of the very funny touches are the rats you see throughout the movie, the Swedish Chef's cameo and the truly nutty but wonderful 'Cabin Fever' song! It doesn't always work, I will admit, such as perhaps one song too many and some painful singing by the child playing young Jim Hawkins. Nothing against the kid--I am sure he's a swell person, but here he is a but underwhelming--and this would be true of many child actors given such prominence in a film.Overall, though I was predisposed to dislike this one, I didn't. There was enough for this curmudgeon to like and it's actually one of the better Muppet films. Surprise, surprise.

Director Brian Henson gives us the fifth Muppet movie with Muppet Treasure Island. The film follows Jim Hawkins played by Kevin Bishop receiving a treasure map after his father Billy Bones played by Billy Connely dies. Jim meets Long John Silver played by Tim Curry who wants the map for himself. The muppets are really funny in this film, the musical performances are spot on, and Tim Curry is as encentric as ever. Although in this film The muppets really don't have a lot to work with, the film is a little to violent for small children, and Miss Piggy does not show up until 1hr 6min in the movie. Despite all the negatives i still recommend this film.Rated G.1hr 40min/100min.***/****

Though it does not have the reputation of its predecessors, this is perhaps the most consistently entertaining Muppet movie so far; like the previous entry, MUPPET Christmas CAROL (1992), it transposes the lovable 'characters' into the environment of a popular children's classic – in this case, R.L. Stevenson's quintessential pirate yarn "Treasure Island". Unlike the Dickens tale, this particular plot had never before been attempted as a musical (much less a lampoon)…but, for the most part, it retains the flavor of the original (despite innumerable modern interjections and in-jokes that sometimes fall flat) and proves surprisingly faithful (with the obvious modification so as to accommodate Miss Piggy). She appears as Benjamina Gunn, while Kermit is the 'fearsome' Captain Smollett (with Sam Eagle as his first-mate who likes to anticipate his would-be ruthless commands). Though usually the major figures in a Muppet show, Kermit and Miss Piggy (their best bit involves them hanging over a precipice, with the former's eyeballs virtually bursting out of their sockets as he valiantly holds the latter by her feet) are overshadowed here by Rizzo the Rat – who, apart from being perennially hungry (as was his custom), is instilled with a cynical outlook and nervous demeanor but also a shrewd business sense (turning the "Hispaniola" into the poor man…er…mouse's cruise liner)! – and a dopey-looking pirate goat appropriately dubbed "Clueless". Also notable, though, is the vicious Blind Pew (who prefers to address his particular affliction in modern parlance i.e. "visually challenged"!); The Great Gonzo is basically no more than his weird-looking self (and that is all he needs to be, really), but Fozzie Bear is a hoot as the self-proclaimed "half-wit" son of Squire Trelawney (who has named and carries conversation with his index finger!). On the human front, we get two name actors – Tim Curry as an adequately roguish Long John Silver and Billy Connolly (with heavy Scots accent intact) as Billy Bones; the kid playing Jim Hawkins acquits himself well enough, too, and there is a hilarious running-gag early on involving the female inn-keeper's acute sense of hearing. Typically, the songs are no great shakes per se but serve their purpose for the duration.

I am 16, and I absolutely love this movie. I absolutely love Muppets Christmas Carol as well, but here there is Tim Curry and a great storyline based on one of the best children's books ever. It is a little slow at the beginning, but that is the ONLY thing wrong with it. i can't believe the rating is so low for this movie, it should be more than a 6.5 surely. Don't rate it low because of the target audience, which is children. Believe me, adults will enjoy it too. The set designs as usual in a Muppet movie are splendid, and the songs by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil are fun, and are embedded with great jokes. My favourite is Professional Pirate, which has the best lines of the film, but Cabin Feaver is wonderfully upbeat as well. Tim Curry, the most underrated actor and performer alive today, gives an outstanding performance, that has only been surpassed by Pennywise the Dancing Clown and FrankNFurter. He is at his element here, and he even gives his trademark...The Cheshire Cat grin! The relationship between Silver and Hawkins, played by the immensely talented Kevin Bishop, was so well developed, that the ending seemed poignant.(I could see that both Curry and Bishop looked as though they were fighting back tears in that scene) In fact their relationship was developed better than it was in the book. The Muppets were excellent here, especially Gonzo and Rizzo, who never disappoint. There were some absentees and some additions, most notably Clueless Morgan. Kermit and Miss Piggy have a touching romance, that for once doesn't take too long. Billy Conolly gives an entertaining rendition of Billy Bones, and Jennifer Saunders was hysterical as Mrs Bluebridge. One word of advice; never watch the Muppets Wizard Of Oz! It is dreadful, and without doubt is the worst Muppet movie to date. Watch this though! You'll never regret it. Two Thumbs up and a 9/10. Bethany Cox.