Tim Curry, Billy Connelly, Jennifer Saunders and Kevin Bishop joined the standard Muppet cast of characters in the film series follow-up to A Muppet Christmas Carol. This time they took on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale of Treasure Island which saw Tim Curry delightfully chewing scenery as Long John Silver.

Kermit (Steven Whitmire) is Captain Smollett, while the rest of the Muppet cast show up in various roles, but Gonzo (Dave Goelz) and Rizzo (Whitmire) play themselves and take on the roles of best friends, and co-workers of young Jim Hawkins, played by Bishop, who gets caught up in an adventure when Silver darkens the future of the young boy, following rumours of a treasure map which just so happens to have fallen into the hands of the dreamer.

The songs aren’t quite as enjoyable as those in The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, or Christmas Carol, but they are definitely fun and were written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. They are definitely used to set the narrative and advance the story or character arc but aren’t quite as catchy as previous entries.

Still, it’s delightfully fun, and the film waits until just the right moment to introduce Curry’s Silver, and everyone in it seems to be having a great time zaniness abounds. Curry absolutely fits in perfectly within the story and connects nicely with all the characters and almost seems like a muppet himself. It’s also one of his personal favourite roles.

Silver stuffs Smollet’s crew with his own men ready to seize control when the opportunity presents itself.

Once again, the film follows the main points of the original narrative, making sure it’s faithful to the story while leaning into the fun that the Muppets bring to all of their projects. There is a lot of fun to be had throughout the film as Curry’s Silver wreaks havoc, and young Jim finds more trouble and adventure than he dreamt existed.

He learns that Silver has lied to him and betrayed Smollett and the rest all in pursuit of the treasure, but will he, Gonzon, Rizzo and the rest be able to stop Silver and his dastardly plans?

I absolutely delight in Sam the Eagle (Frank Oz) making Kermit’s Smollett sound like a tyrannical taskmaster but, of course, that’s not who Kermit is. And yet, the story stays incredibly faithful to Stevenson’s spirit and work. And the whole gag with Fozzie (also Oz) and his imaginary friend Mr. Bimble who lives in his finger.

I remember seeing this in the theatre along with a full audience of college students who ate it up! I haven’t watched it since then, and settling in for it this time around, I was absolutely delighted to see how well it still plays, how fun it still is, and the magic of the Muppets endures.