Muppet Treasure Island MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +2 Content: +1

"Beware of the man with only one leg," warns Captain Bones before he dies and gives Jim, an orphan boy (Kevin Bishop), a treasure map. Jim's father was the first mate on a voyage where all the men were lost along with an enormous treasure. So Jim and his muppet friends, Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, set out to find a ship to take them to the hidden treasure. As the crew comes together, more muppets enter the scene, with Kermit the Frog as captain, Squire (Fozzie Bear) as first mate and Long John Silver (Tim Curry) as the cook with only one leg. Once out to sea, Long John stages a mutiny and takes control of the ship, holding Jim as hostage. On a desert island, they find the treasure and none other than Miss Piggy, who has been marooned there with a herd of warthogs. Its swashbuckling sword fights and lots of muppet jokes are sure to entertain most youngsters. However, running almost two hours, the film may be too long for children under five.

Parents may be somewhat disappointed with certain elements of the film. Captain Bones is shown drunk and there is drinking among the pirates. Long John offers the muppets brandy and the rats are shown with cocktails in their hands throughout the movie. Kermit declines when offered a drink and orders Long John to dump all alcohol overboard. While there is nothing scary about this adventure story, skeletons make occasional appearances. Some are hanging from trees and others are just heads of skeletons singing. Aboard ship there is a skeleton called "dead Tom" and he comes up out of a coffin. Surprising for a G-rated movie is Long John uttering a mild crudity and Miss Piggy using a crude expression when the wart hogs upstage her. The action includes the expected sword fights and guns and explosions, but unexpected is seeing Miss Piggy knee a pirate in the groin. MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND could have been just as much fun without exposing young children to these questionable elements.

Preview Reviewer: Sherry Oswald
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution, 3900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521