Today’s quick review: Muppet Treasure Island. Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop) is a young orphan who dreams of adventure, rather than his own dreary life working at an inn. He gets his chance when Billy Bones (Billy Connolly), a retired pirate and long-time patron of the inn, bequeaths him a treasure map. Fleeing the bloodthirsty pirates who are after the map, Jim and his friends Gonzo and Rizzo journey to London, where they convince the rich but half-witted Fozzie Bear to finance a voyage to find the treasure. The ship sets sail with Kermit the Frog as captain, Sam Eagle as first mate, and Jim, Gonzo, and Rizzo as cabin boys. But the crew themselves may not be trustworthy, and Long John Silver (Tim Curry), the ship’s one-legged cook, is keeping secrets from Jim.
Muppet Treasure Island is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel and one of the best Muppet movies ever made. The classic Muppet sense of humor blends well with the backbone provided by Treasure Island, and the film succeeds as both a comedy and a child-oriented adventure. The musical numbers are frequent and catchy, with excellent performances by Kevin Bishop, Tim Curry, and the entire Muppet cast. Tim Curry steals the show as Long John Silver, handling the character’s charm and menace with real talent. The tone of the film is predominantly comedy but dips into the adventure genre as needed to flesh out its characters and keep the plot moving.
Muppet Treasure Island is an excellent combination of comedy, music, and adventure. Any fan of the Muppets, light comedy, or well-written kids’ films will enjoy it. Those who find the genre immature or cheesy should skip it.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 9.0 for sentimental reasons, but I consider it at least an 8.0 on quality alone.