Muppet Treasure Island

Cast: Tim Curry, Kevin Bishop, Billy Connolly, Jennifer Saunders and Frank Oz.

Director: Brian Henson

Release Date: 1996

Running Time: 1hr 39 minutes

Genre: Family

Rating: G

Format: DVD

Synopsis: 

The Muppets do their take on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, Kermit the Frog and his friends, go to war with some pretty ruthless pirates.

There's been many film adaptions of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island over the years, but Muppet Treasure Island is probably one that will stick in your mind a bit more. This is a fantastic take on the classic novel. This is a very fun and entertaining film. Starring Tim Curry as nasty Long John Silver, he's absolutely brilliant, he makes a very convincing pirate in terms of characterization and in terms of looks. Who would of thought he be so fantastic in a Muppet film? Billy Connolly also makes a lovely appearance in the film as Billy Bones, like the comedian that he is, he is absolutely hilarious although sadly only has a small role in the movie. It's worth watching his character even if it's just for a couple of minutes.

The Muppets always put on a wonderful show, this is probably one of their best films alongside "Muppets Christmas Carol" it went straight to number one at the box office. The same lovable characters are back including Gonzo, Rizzo and Kermit the Frog, each one absolutely hilarious in their own right, Gonzo is very funny as Rizzo's sidekick, Rizzo eats almost his own weight in chicken and Kermit is still having issues with Miss Piggy. Kevin Bishop makes a very nice appearance as Jim Hawkins, a cabin boy who is close friends with Gonzo and Rizzo. He delivers a pretty good performance, especially considering it was Bishop's film debut, he has a lovely singing voice and works wonderfully alongside the other characters. He has a pretty interesting relationship with Long John Silver.

Jerry Juhl has done a wonderful job with the screenplay, some of the dialogue is absolutely hilarious, he's really worked on each character, Gonzo and Rizzo definitely steal the show with their funny sense of humour and witty lines, closely followed by Long John Silver (Curry), there is certainly a lot more humour in this film then previous other Muppet films. It's refreshing to see a very funny take on the classic novel. I love that we're introduced to Rizzo's rat friends who have their heart set on cruising the Caribbean. There are some very funny moments involving rats water skiing, sunbathing and enjoying cocktails at a bar.

Director of photography John Fenner has done a marvelous job, he's made a very simple film, look extremely good. Very well edited, the muppets and the actors fit into frame beautifully in each scene, the ship they are on board and the cabin look very genuine and realistic, there's something heartwarming about a film that looks fake, but with the use of wonderful acting still has a lot of magic. Muppets Treasure Island is funny because the characters look like they are stood on only half a ship, and are standing on a pretend Island, it's part of the humour. This film isn't to be taken seriously in any shape or form. If you do, then your really missing the point. The Production department have worked really hard in making everything look as authentic as possible.

Of course it wouldn't be a great Muppet film without the use of some wonderful songs. Probably one of the better soundtracks in the Muppet franchise. Ziggy Marley even makes a wonderful appearance in the end credits with "Love Power" it sets the tone of the film beautifully, here they are in the Caribbean, what's better then a little bit of Ziggy Marley to set them off. There's plenty of catchy tunes like Cabin Fever, When your a professional Pirate and Boom Shaklaka, it won't be long before you've got all three going round in your head. This is a very fun and entertaining film that is suitable for everyone. An absolute must watch.

5/5 stars