Muppets, Pirates, and Treasure: A Review of Muppet Treasure Island

Tonight, I'll be talking about one of my favorite childhood films...

I can't tell you how many times I've watched it over the years, but I can tell you it has left an impact. (Namely that it has made me want to see other adaptations and to recently start the original novel.) But enough about me, you're here to learn about the movie!

Now is this the most accurate adaptation? Probably not; and no, I doubt all of the characters are portrayed correctly either. (Take Fozzie Bear as Squire Trelawney, for instance) So, if you want an accurate adaptation of  Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, you'll have to look elsewhere. But what you do get is a really fun adventure! And who doesn't love a good old adventure story?

To make it even more interesting, it's the Muppets. So we know it's full of humor, heart, and memorable music. Hopefully I can share enough about each to help you get a feel for it!

 Humor
If you're familiar with the Muppets at all, you'll know the kind of humor that is in this film. I know it's in the clip I linked to below, but one of my favorite exchanges goes like this...

"I hate my life."
"I hate your life too."
"If I had a life, I'd hate it."

It makes me laugh every time, as do most of the jokes. If it so happens that you're not familiar with the Muppets brand of humor, this film might be a good place to start. :)

 Heart 

I know you wouldn't necessarily expect it in a pirate movie, but there is lots of heart. I mean, each of us can probably identify with Jim's longing for a brighter future. We all probably have friends we consider family... which is something else you see here. (Even though Long John Silver's a bad guy, we still find it sweet that he forms this almost father-son bond with Jim, for one example.) And of course, there is a bit of romance included too. (For the pig and the frog, of course.)

Memorable Music

I think my favorite song, though I appreciate them all, has always been "Something Better". Sung by Jim Hawkins, Gonzo, and Rizzo the Rat, it shows the longing the boys have for adventure and home.

"Cabin Fever" has some of the best lines in the whole thing, and the others are pretty good too. I think my second favorite, though, would have to be "Love Led Us Here" (sung both by characters in the film and by professionals during the end credits).

Of course, you can't just focus on the music without a shout-out for the instrumental score! Did you know it was written by Hans Zimmer and Harry Gregson-Williams? Pretty amazing, am I right? I mean those are some famous composers... and here they worked on a little old Muppet movie!

And of course, there is more than just humor, heart, and music. I mean, the cast is phenomenal and fits in perfectly with the Muppet performers. (I mean, Tim Curry as Long John Silver? Billy Connolly as Billy Bones? Cool!) The characters are ones you really grow to love (Personally, as a child I had a crush on Jim for awhile. haha!). And it can serve as an introduction to a classic novel in a unique way, as evidenced by what I said earlier.

I suppose, in my haphazard way, I'm just asking you to give it a chance. I mean, what's the fun of loving something if you can't share the joy with friends? If, like me, you grew up with it, what were your favorite parts?