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.
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MissSimonetta3 August 2020
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joemorgan-0146220 September 2021Jim Henson's Muppets always put on a master piece. They've entertained for years and this one is just one of many examples of fine entertainment.
Tim Currys performance was very exceptional and this sort of light hearted entertainment is certainly right up his street. Obviously you have to have a song for him to sing and as always he does not disappoint with his very powerful voice. Cameos from Jennifer Saunders and Billy Connolly were a great added extra for what would have been enjoyable with out them, but they add that extra zest to a classic Muppet film.
As usual the Muppets themselves are witty and they massively putt off being pirates. After Miss Piggys and Kermit's song at the cliff edge, I always laugh myself silly watching Kermit trying to hold onto Miss Piggy as she is about to plummet to her very near death. If you haven't seen it, watch it for the pure comedy gold that is Kermit the Frog trying to hold on to a much larger Miss Piggy.
A very masterful performance! -
I keep thinking these "Muppet Movies" are going to be just for little kids but I am usually pleasantly surprised that I enjoy most of them, too. In this one, there were a lot of modern-day expressions and referrals to things that only adults would appreciate.
Meanwhile, the special-effects with the puppets is the normal high-quality. Actually, this was my first look at a Muppet film, although I've reviewed several others, so I was downright amazed at what I saw. After I had seen others, and then viewed this one again, it wasn't as appealing. It was okay, but I liked a few others better. As I found with subsequent episodes, Rizzo The Rat and The Great Gonzo had the best lines even though Kermit and Miss Piggy have always been the best-known of these puppet characters. I've never been a fan of Miss Piggy so I was glad to see her with a minor role here.
Tim Curry played "Long John Silver" and he was entertaining, as was young Kevin Bishop as "Jim Hawkins." The songs were okay: not outstanding, but not bad. There weren't that many and they were brief enough not to interrupt the flow of the story. The movie is a little loud the first 20 minutes but settles down after that. -
jerizda12 June 2002Sometimes 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. -
Jolie8 February 1999I'll admit it, the first time I saw this movie, I wasn't impressed. But as I watched it again, it grew on me. "Muppet Treasure Island" is a film that grows on you over time. Props go to Tim Curry for his fine job as Long John Silver, and to the entire cast of puppeteers, without who this film would not be possible. The relationship between Silver and Jim is also well-developed, as it is difficult to watch them part at the end. The songs are fun, the ending touching..and of course, humorous! Give this movie another try.
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pisces-kelsey8 December 2021While not necessarily the best of the Muppet movies (though that's a tough contest), it is one of the most enjoyable. I'll admit it does start off a little slow (with the exception of Billy Connolly's cameo), but once they actually get on the boat, you can't look away. And for one good reason: Tim-Freaking-Curry. He is having a blast in this movie and is not shy with letting everyone know it. In an interview, Curry once said this was the most fun he ever had making a movie, and that's very apparent to the viewers. Without him, this movie would have been fine, but with him? It's so much fun. The writing is also great and 9/10 of all the jokes land.
Two things I didn't absolutely love, first being the music. It's fine, but it doesn't have that extremely catchy nature that all the other Muppet soundtracks have. Honestly, with the exception of "Cabin Fever," the numbers are pretty forgettable. The second is the kid who plays Jim. He just doesn't have the energy needed for this kind of performance. It might be because Curry eats all the scenery before he can even get there, but he's pretty bland. I kind of even forget when he isn't in a scene. In fact, most of the side-character humans in this movie are forgettable.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially considering how flat-out fantastic the other Muppet movies are, but its a good time to experience at least once. -
The Muppets are back! And they're having another great adventure.
The story seems like a poor excuse to let the Muppets do so more and new crazy things. But does it really matter? I don't think so, it's very entertaining and good for more then a few laughs.
The characters are highly amusing and Sam The Eagle as always steals the show! But the human cast is also amazing and forms the best Muppet movie cast. Tim Curry is excellent! And Jennifer Saunders and Billy Connolly are very entertaining. Kevin Bishop however seems like a better stage player then a movie actor.
The movie features some wonderful songs and the music by Hans Zimmer is surprising good! The sets and all are however obvious fake and shot in a studio which is a bit of a shame but it doesn't make the movie less entertaining. Not at all!
Granted that it's not the best Muppet movie every made but still it's worth watching if you like the Muppets or if you like Tim Curry because he really is excellent in this one.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/ -
BroadwayBaby7614 February 2004Although 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. -
While not nearly as good as "The Muppet Movie", "The Muppets Take Manhattan", and "A Muppet Christmas Carol" this movie manages to entertain. I'm glad Brian Henson and Frank Oz are keeping the art of puppetry alive, as well as the magic of the Muppets. Jim Henson would be proud.
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TheLittleSongbird5 February 2009I 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.
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cricketbat29 January 2021Tim Curry is the reason to watch Muppet Treasure Island. He chews up the scenery in every scene he's in and savors every bite. It's fun to watch. The rest of the movie is good, but not great. The jokes aren't as witty as they have been in past Muppet productions, and the musical numbers are forgettable. Nevertheless, this is a good way to introduce small children to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate tale.
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There's many contenders for greatest actors.of all time, Tim Curry is a solid choice and if someone said he was their favourite, I wouldn't argue the point.
He absolutely steals the show in just about every role he's ever been cast in.
This film is no different. He absolute chews the scenery and looks to be having the time of his life.
Great film, highly recommended. -
Bunuel197622 February 2009Though 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.
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Welly-228 July 1999The shame of it! There I was, comfortable in the arm chair with a beer and a bag of popcorn, bouyant in the hope of another splendid Muppet night of entertainment. What did I get? Disappointed! How can the Muppets go from the sublime Christmas Carol to this? The humour was dreadful, the songs were worse than Country and Western (and that's saying something) and the plot was as confused and poor as Blind Pew. I think the main problem was that they bit off too much in attempting Treasure Island. A short tale, such as Christmas Carol, is perfect because you can weave the Muppet high jinks around it....here the need to drag the plot along stopped all the fun. Where do the Muppets go next? How about Muppets Wizard of Oz?
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CaptainChunk23 January 2003Awsome Muppet Adventure. I don't care how many people hate this movie, I still think it's smart, funny, and amazing. The muppets still have it. Though I agree by most by saying it's not the best Muppet movie, it sure beats the hell outta "The great muppet caper" (How slow was that movie?!). Tim Curry, the greatest and most under rated musical preformer alive, is at his element here. The music is awsome and his one song ("Upstage Lads, this is me only number!") is awsome. This is a good movie. For a pirate movie, and a muppet movie.
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jboothmillard7 September 2005Just like The Muppet Christmas Carol, they don't mess with the story, apart from having Muppets and the ending. Anyway, basically Jim Hawkins and his two friends Gonzo (Dave Goelz) and Rizzo the Rat (Steve Whitmire) want to explore. When they are given a treasure map, obviously they get a ship, captain and crew to find this island with treasure. Captain Smollet, or Kermit the Frog (Whitmire), Fozzie (Frank Oz), Animal (Oz) and Sam the Eagle (Oz) accompany them. Also starring Tim Curry as Long John Silver, Billy Connolly as Billy Bones and Jennifer Saunders as Mrs. Bluberidge. The Muppets were number 47 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Very good!
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FilmFanInTheHouse11 October 2008Muppet Treasure Island (1996, Dir. Brian Henson)
After telling the story of Flint's last journey to young Jim Hawkins (Bishop), Billy Bones (Connelly) has a heart attack and dies just as Jim and his friends are attacked by pirates. The gang escapes into the town where they convince Squire Trelawney (Oz) to hire out a boat and crew to find the hidden treasure, which was revealed by Bones before he died. On their voyage across the seas, they soon find out that not everyone on board can be trusted.
A decent Muppet film which combines the usual Muppet comedy, catchy songs and colourful sets. Tim Curry, who can be seen obviously having a wonderful time, is the highlight of the film and the young Kevin Bishop portrays a good Jim Hawkins, but some Muppet fans might be disappointed in the lack of Miss Piggy who only turns up in the last quarter of the film.
Oh, aye, and then old Flinty up and died before they could get back to that cursed island and dig up the treasure. Billy Bones (Billy Connelly) -
My Take: The Muppets charm, along with the guests stars in this entertaining family romp.
MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND wasn't meant to be a serious adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure story, so why not simply enjoy it. This Muppet version of the classic story is fun, funny and spirited. There's a lot of funny moments, most of which come from the exuberant glee of Jim Henson's batch of funny Muppets. Although adults will find much to deprive and annoyed, this is a fun and enjoyable romp for the young, young-at-heart and for those willing enough to be so.
The story is basically similar, as we once again go across the sea, joining the young Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop) and the feisty pirate Long John Silver (Tim Curry), in search of the long lost treasure. The film is given a Muppet twist, which includes much of our favorite Muppet characters, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, Gonzo and all of those other rambunctious little Muppet characters are here and there.
Adults may find a small discomfort when watching this kid-oriented film, but it's still a fun and bright family movie, mostly recommended for the younger set. Here's simply viewing it as a fun and appealing, with that you'll find it quite a pleaser. Any Muppet fan will be pleased by this jolly costume party, and kids will have a howling good time.
Rating: *** out of 5. -
Chrissie6 May 1999Muppet Treasure Island relies heavily on incongruity, and the contrast between the Muppet world and reality. The directing and music are pure swashbuckler -- the opening sequence is brilliant, with a dark pirate song with sprinklings of straight-faced jest, setting the mood for the film.
Many of the gags are cheap shots -- roll is called for Old Tom, Real Old Tom, and Dead Tom, along with Headless Bill (yes, he's headless) and Big Fat Ugly Bug-Faced Baby-Eating O'Brien (a Geena Davis look-alike who barks "Aye" in a rough bass). Others are character humor, such as the exchange in which Rizzo laments that they are "captured by crazed wild pigs and about to be sacrificed hideously on a pagan altar," to which Gonzo breathlessly adds, "Are we lucky or what?!" Anachronisms abound, such as when Miss Piggy reflects on her dalliances with the murderous Captain Flint and her most recent beau, Long John Silver, who has tied her by the feet and left her dangling at the edge of a cliff. "You know," she muses, "I'm beginning to see a pattern in the men I date." A Greek chorus of tourist rats adds a surrealistic touch of The Love Boat.
For all the silliness, characters are still able to develop. Jim's love for Long John Silver is real, and the betrayal cuts to the quick. Their parting scene is heart rending but not overdone. Jim simply chokes out, "Now take your oars and row away. I don't want to see you again, ever."
Brian Henson has done his father proud. -
matthewssilverhammer29 August 2017Alright, so this isn't very good. The kid is in over his head, the songs are fairly mediocre, & the direction is egregiously lazy. But can we just appreciate how perfect Curry is within the Muppet universe? He totally buys in to the idea of talking puppet-creatures, and he makes such a charismatic pirate. Still, neither he, nor the sardonic and anarchic Muppet humor, can make this any better than "meh".
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I don't think there's a 'children's' franchise that has more appeal to adults than Jim Henson's Muppets. I liked them as a kid but as an adult I love them. Their humor has so much nuance and clever wit that the jokes and characters get better with age. 'Muppet Treasure Island' might just be my favorite Muppet film and that is a hard thing to truly say because the Muppets have so much re-watch ability. I think what I like here is how sincere the story is while exploiting bizarre Muppet humor. It takes an audacity to adapt Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel with Kermit and the gang. The movie is a hoot and I laughed a lot here but at the same time there's a great deal of heart and emotion involved. That's what has always been so wonderful about the Muppets and this swashbuckling adventure is no exception.
What's so impressive here is how much integrity the original Stevenson story keeps while adapted in Muppet form. There are no cheap laughs at the expense of Long John Silver or Jim Hawkins. They blend seamlessly into the narrative. While Kermit, Fozzie, Piggy and the gang fill the outer cast and provide us with the classic humor, they never take away from the plot. Kermit is especially good as Captain Smollet. He gets some really heavy character motivation no doubt taken from the Stevenson novel and Kermit relays it very well. As do all the other characters. It doesn't feel out of place or thematically schizophrenic when we go from scenes showcasing the menace of Long John Silver to a rip roaring musical number affectionately called 'Cabin Fever'.
Tim Curry is brilliant in this film. His interaction with the Muppets is seamless. In some of the lesser Muppet entries the human actors seem to be making fun of the Muppets (Charles Grodin in 'The Great Muppet Caper' is particularly bad'.) Curry treats them like they are real actors. This seems like it should be a no brainer but it is critical for this story here. Curry's band of buccaneer Muppets are actually quite menacing and some of the scarier creatures in a traditional Muppet film because the interaction is so good.
The film isn't just an adaptation of 'Treasure Island' all the great Muppet humor and heart is intact and in some instances as funny as ever. Frank Oz's Fozzie Bear steals every scene he is in as Squire Trelawney(well in actuality the half witted son of Squire Trelawney). I particularly love how they use Gonzo and Rizzo in this film. They become Jim's companions on this voyage. Jim Henson always liked to portray the Muppets as dreamers and the excitement these characters relay over this pirate adventure is so in tune with the Muppets.
'Muppet Treasure Island' is not to be missed. It is funny and smart. I'd love to see the Muppets tackle another piece of literature because they really make it come alive in a new way. Highly recommended -
SnoopyStyle30 September 2013The Muppets gang try on this classic story with pirate treasure. It's got the irreverent sense of humor. That's definitely the good part of this movie.
The less good is the bland boy lead Kevin Bishop. He's acceptable but just nothing special. The same can be said of the songs. It's just not memorable.
The biggest sin of this movie must be the late entrance of both Kermit and Miss Piggy. How dare they treat Kermit as a secondary character. And Miss Piggy doesn't even get in till much much much later. That's a crime against pigmanity. I was wondering if they cut her out entirely. -
poebelsmurfen30 December 2006This is simply my favorite Muppet movie. The adaption of this classic story written Robert Louis Stevenson into a Muppet world is, in my opinion, one of the best adaption ever made in the history of Muppet movies.
The movie is quite family friendly, but I can say, as an adult, that I enjoyed it immensely. The humor is never dull, and the numerous musical numbers in this movie makes it a pearl in the world of the Muppets.
I'd just like to point out Tim Curry's role in this movie. Casting him as Long John Silver just adds to the already sky-high quality. With Tim Curry you get both good acting AND good singing.
If you like pirate themed movies, and are not afraid to please your inner child, this movie is most definitely for you! -
mitsubishizero27 September 2020It's by no means bad, just when they sing it can be very hit or miss. Many of them are catchy and well written, but there's one dud in the beginning sung by Jim Hawkins. Tone deaf songs aside, this was an enjoyable film to watch. Another welcome reinterpretation of a classic story starring the muppets. The boy playing Jim is good though I'm not a big fan of his singing voice. Tim Curry as the main antagonist is a delight to see here(then again, he's always a delight).
If that's not great enough, who can forget Kermit and the respected captain? The fight scenes and gags are hilarious. They never get old. I love how Sweetums helps our heroes during the final battle. That was funny and kind've touching.
Muppet Treasure Island is a movie that anyone can sit down and enjoy. Just goes to show that even without Jim Henson, the muppets still haven't lost their magic. With that being said, swing on in for another adventure and see for yourself. -
Matthew_Capitano22 December 2014Anyone with brains knows that Hollywood has never made an honest movie in its life . . . . and muppet creator Jim Henson's handy relation, Brian, keeps the b.s. of Hollywood alive by occupying Jim's position as muppet movie director just because he's related.
Typically claustrophobic muppet mess which seems to lack a script -- or at least a coherent one. Brian Henson's choppy direction remains a sore spot accompanied by the usual patented muppet movie noise and confusion. Tim Curry expectedly overacts as 'Long John Silver' and he looks adequately embarrassed while he does it.
Jim Henson was a genius who was responsible for the rise of the muppet empire, but that empire should finally fall by disappearing from American movie theaters for good.