Muppet
Review by Melissa Yowhan,
© Melissa Yowhan, September 2006
1996 marked the release of the second Muppet film to
be made after Jim Henson’s death: Muppet
Treasure Island. A stark contrast from past Muppet films in that this
marked the Muppets’ first real “action” movie. Done entirely on the soundstages
of Shepperton Studios outside of
Helmed once again by Jim’s son Brian Henson and the second foray from
book to screen for the Muppet characters this film when it was released was a
breathe of fresh air to Muppet fans around the globe since this film seemed to
go back to basics of what the Muppets were all about: musical, wacky, spontaneous
and emulating messages of the heart. In this loose adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel we find
the beloved Muppet characters taking on Stevenson’s characters: Kermit as
Captain Smollett, Fozzie Bear as Squire Trelawney, Sam the Eagle as Mr. Arrow,
etc. Live actors Kevin Bishop as Jim
Hawkins and Tim Curry as Long John
Silver are the film’s hero and villain.
This film was an elaborate feast
for the eye in every way imaginable from the costume designs to the over the top
musical numbers to the amazing set pieces which included an actual ship
constructed in the studio that moved like a real ship! Wonderful trickery went
into many of the Muppet effects as well including an amazingly choreographed
swordfight between Kermit the Frog and Tim
Curry.
The other thing that I personally
enjoyed was the little side characters and bit scenes that filled in the time
between the movie’s main plot points. Those that stand out as far as characters
in my eyes are Blind Pew expertly performed by veteran Muppeteer Jerry Nelson (who also has a cameo
sans puppet as Squire Trelawney’s butler). Clueless Morgan performed by then up
and coming and now core performer Bill
Barretta, and a staple of many past Muppet films: the rats. Just like in Muppets Take Manhattan
the rats steal every scene they’re in. You see in this film, Rizzo the Rat, Jim
Hawkins’ sidekick is looking to make extra money aboard the long journey on the
Hispanola so he accomplishes this by making his fellow rats think they’re going
on a cruise. This theme leads to many hysterical bits throughout the film as
the rats seem totally oblivious to everything else going onboard and are just
enjoying their vacation.
Two scenes stand out with this theme: one
is when Long John Silver abducts Jim Hawkins to make it to
The supporting Muppet characters all
have great scenes in this film and with the exception of Fozzie who I feel was
very dumbed down, stay true to who they are outside of their
The human actors in this film add a
lot. Tim Curry once again camps it
up for the camera as Long John Silver (who himself is one of the campiest
characters of literature). Like past Muppet films this one doesn’t ignore the
fact that the characters KNOW they’re in a movie so Tim’s reactions to the
crazy Muppets around him and facial expressions to the camera are priceless.
The supporting cast of humans was also a delight which include Scottish
comedian/actor Billy Connolly as
Billy Bones and “Absolutely Fabulous’”
Jennifer Saunders as the innkeeper
and guardian to Jim Hawkins, Mrs. Bluberidge. Kevin Bishop I feel is the weakest of the human cast. Where his
acting works in the heartfelt scenes between he and Long John Silver, I felt
overall his portrayal of Jim Hawkins was a little too “wussy” for lack of a
better word. Not the clever boy who outwitted the pirate in the original novel.
And his singing did not hold up. I think perhaps it would’ve been better to get
someone to do his vocals for the musical soundtrack.
Which leads me to the musical
element of the film. Whereas the previous Muppet film Muppet Christmas Carol’s
music was done by the talented songwriter and frequent Muppet collaborator Paul Williams, this film’s music was
given a fun, high-spirited spin in thanks to the songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. With silly lyrics and sweeping orchestrations by
composer Hans Zimmer, this film also
produced a very entertaining soundtrack.
In summary, Muppet Treasure Island was
one of the better projects produced by the Henson company after Jim’s passing
and after the somber and kind of sad Muppet Christmas Carol which was the
first non-Jim film this film was a nice change. I think Jim would’ve enjoyed
many of the scenes and been proud of his son’s hard work in producing a fun,
entertaining, Muppety film.
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