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.
