Time for another one of my "movie that was on my radar for years but never sat down to watch it" viewings. Honestly, you'd be surprised that I didn't watch that many Muppet movies growing up. Loved the IP, but blame my lack of movie interest in making that a reality. But as I watch them more and more the more I love them. Both in terms of technical brilliance as only the Henson brand could provide, but also for just being the epitome of a fun time. And no movie best exemplifies the concept more than 1996's Muppet Treasure Island. So, what did I think of the Henson company's take on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic? Simply put, that may be in my top favorite movies I've watched for this blog. And I think we can take about 1000 words to talk about just why.
Released in 1996, Muppet Treasure Island was the fifth theatrical Muppet film. The film adapts Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of Treasure Island, but adds a Muppet touch to it. Young Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop), along with Gonzo and Rizzo, gain possession of a treasure map one belonging to the dreaded pirate Captain Flint, by the pirate Billy Bones (Billy Connolly). The trio gain a ship by the son of the Squire Trelawney (Fozzie Bear) and along with Dr. Livesy (Bunsen Honeydew) and Beaker, they set sail with the captain Abraham Smollett (Kermit the Frog). However, along for the trip are a group of pirates led by the one legged rogue Long John Silver (Tim Curry), who pretends to be the ship's cook to lure Jim into a false sense of security to gain possession of the map.
Naturally, inserting any established brand into a classic work can be tricky. I'm reminded of those bizarre Tom and Jerry movies that were just a weaker beat for beat version of Wizard of Oz or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory only with some Tom and Jerry shenanigans shoehorned within. But what makes the Muppet takes work is mainly that it can feel true to the source material, yet the silliness and fun of the Muppet characters never takes away from the story itself. It can be a story that still heavily focuses on Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver while also having Muppets do fun silly things and still feel integral to the plot. There are a few pop culture references, but none that ever take away from the movie, which is always a plus. And the magic of Muppet effects in general make so that they never feel out of place and feel just as alive as the live action characters. Well, live action characters and the living cartoon himself, Tim Curry.
I could easily write "Tim Curry as", add a random name, then write "is the best part of the movie" and that would almost always be true, but it is especially true here. Curry is incredible as Long John Silver. A charismatic rogue to the bitter end, manipulating Jim Hawkins into leading him to the treasure while also forming a friendship with the boy that is real. A pirate that can lie about most things, but not in how he respects Jim. Honestly, he feels more animated than the Muppets on most occasions. Speaking of the Muppets, they're all perfect in their roles. Be it Kermit as Captain Smollett, Fozzie as the son of Squire Trelawney (who has a man named Bimbo living in his finger that talks to him), and Miss Piggy as Benjamina Gunn, who we learn was left at the altar by Smollett, so she got around with a bunch of scurvy dogs, including Long John Silver.
Kevin Bishop as Jim Hawkins is also great in the role, portraying Hawkins perfectly. A boy who longs for adventure like his father, while also forming a complicated friendship with Long John Silver. And he does a great job alongside Tim Curry, though granted it's hard for most, even a debuting actor like Bishop, to truly hold their own in a scene with Curry, but he does fine. The music in the movie is solid, with the Cabin Fever song being my favorite of the bunch. A good example of that high energy that only the Muppet franchise can provide. Little added bits like Rizzo running a tour racket for rats is also a cute touch. The effects also look great. Some a bit dated, notably some of the high seas shots, but those minor issues aside, the Muppet effects still astound all these years later with just how full of life they are. Feeling like more than just puppets but real creatures existing in this world. And, as it appears to be a running theme of my picks lately, the movie wasn't a hit at the box office, making 34 million of its 31 million budget. Though it, again like other movies I've covered lately, found its popularity through home video. And a Disney Treasure Island adaptation failing at the box office wouldn't just be exclusive to the Muppets, but it'll be a bit before I cover that one.
I really enjoyed Muppet Treasure Island. It does the job of being both a faithful enough adaptation of the source material while also being a fun Muppet comedy adventure. It, like many Muppet movies, works as the perfect time killer film. Breezy and enjoyable, silly and goofy, with plenty of action and some decent emotional beats. I wish we were still in the era where the Muppets were featured more often in these sort of big adaptations. One could only imagine what else the brand could have done, but I still appreciate what we got. I hope to talk more Muppets soon for the blog as so far, Sesame Street included, everything I've touched has been pure fun. Just the way Jim Henson would have wanted.
RATING: ****
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