Though 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.
Review of Muppet Treasure Island
