L'île au trésor des Muppets

Muppet Treasure Island is a funny spoof of the classic story. Tim Curry stands out, and plays the part of Long John Silver very well. Using the Muppets to play the parts of the classic characters makes it all the more fun. Muppet Treasure Island is by far not the best Muppet film ever, but it is good and enjoyable.

Muppet Treasure Island

The second muppet movie made after Jim Henson's death, Muppet Treasure Island, like The Muppet Christmas Carol, takes a classic novel and brings it to life with silliness and dedication to the source material.

Let me start by saying that Tim Curry is a genius. At 50 years old at the time of release, he has the energy of a man half his age, and looks much younger as well. He performed very well as the villainous Long John Silver, with an affinity for the young Jim Hawkins.

I also really enjoyed that the put Sam Eagle in the role of Mr. Arrow. His adherence to rules, even when punitive, was hysterical. Also, bringing on a cavalcade of rats believing that they were on a Caribbean cruise made me giggle constantly. Margaritas at midnight, hahaha.

As a film based on a novel, it brings to life Jim's longing to follow in his deceased father's footsteps as an explorer at sea. When the treasure map ends up in his hands, and pirates pursue him, he gets his chance. Discovering that not all people are good was not a new concept to him, but it still took him by surprise when his father/son bond with Long John was shaken during the mutiny. However, both of them let the other go, at perilous times, due to a mutual respect regardless of the reasons.

As in The Muppet Christmas Carol, Gonzo and Rizzo play themselves, still in somewhat of a narrator fashion, but this time included as Jim's fellow cabin boys. In a self aware moment of realization of the seriousness of the subject, it's even brought up that the movie doesn't shy away from death, even in a kid's movie. I liked that touch because the subject matter was serious, and a complete softening of the motives of greed and selfishness shouldn't avoid the consequences.

Over 25 years later, this film does hold up, especially since it's a period piece. I wish I had seen it when it came out, but the death of Jim Henson was still fresh in my mind, and it was too painful. It's a shame though, because he would have loved it.

Seriously, MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND is funnier than any "adult" comedy made in the last ten years. While not held in the same regard as the Muppet movies of the 1980s or MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL, I thought this movie was amazing and easily the most hilarious of all the Muppet movies I've seen. The Muppets are all well-cast and the human performers are wonderful, especially Tim Curry. There's a talent in being able to actually talk to felt with a straight face.

Although this film has taken quite a beating since its release, I fail to understand why. The songs are catchy, the script is hilarious, and the performances are stellar.

Let's start with the music. Whether it's the wonderfully fun "Cabin Fever," the touching "Love Led Us Here," or another one of the wide array of tunes, nobody can say that they are inferior to any other Muppets melodies.

The script is full of one liners and clever dialogue that never grows old, delivered by a cast and vocal talents who are incredibly talented. Tim Curry, sinister and wonderful as ever, plays Long John Silver to perfection. Billy Connolly is also worth mentioning, despite his brief appearance in the film. And young Jim Hawkins is just as he should be, albeit surrounded by a crew of muppet pirates.

This is my favorite Muppet film, and I think everybody should give it a try and embrace a different sort of humor-filled extravaganza.

Sometimes when you watch a movie you get the feeling that the cast and crew had a fantastic time making it, which makes the movie even better. I got that feeling during Muppet Treasure Island, and as a result it is one of my favorite movies.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kevin Bishop's (Jim Hawkins) performance: since I usually find young/child actors to be very grating, that's saying something. The Muppets were, as usual, all very funny. The jokes and asides were too, too funny (like Gonzo finding Henry Kissinger's book Diplomacy' in Captain Billy Bones' trunk), the songs were fun and catchy, and the pace was brisk and exciting. Tim Curry looked like he was having the time of his life playing Long John Silver amidst a sea of Muppets. I had great fun watching his performance.

Go watch this movie if there's even a spark of kid in you. You won't regret it.