As today would have been Jim Henson's 70th birthday, it's only fitting I start this one on what I consider the very best Muppet feature--perhaps not all that surprising considering he personally directed this one. While it may not have the same emotional wave of its predecessor, or not quite the same level of songs, this has in my opinion the best overall script of any Muppet film (how they're going to go on these days without Jerry Juhl is a point of deep concern for me), with the many breakings of the 4th wall making it only better (PIGGY: Why are you telling me everything about your brother? LADY HOLLIDAY: It's plot exposition, it has to go somewhere.). This is Piggy's best appearance on film; just compare how much screen time she gets here with later projects where they're clearly working around Frank Oz's schedule. Fozzie, Animal, and Statler & Waldorf also show their best here, and Rizzo in his first major role does decent with the material he has.
The puppetry itself is nothing short of amazing. One shot that still astounds me is seeing Kermit seated on the completely open park bench as Peter Falk comes up to completely misinterpret the frog's predicament, with seemingly no place for Henson to be hiding. And who would have ever thought we'd see dozens of characters riding bicycles together or Piggy swimming and riding a motorcycle. This is also the film with the most Muppeteer cameos; look for Henson as a customer at the Dubonnet club (he's seated with puppet designer Amy Van Gilder), Richard Hunt driving a taxi during the opening song, with Kathy Mullen as one of his passengers, Frank Oz (with a toupee) in the newsroom when Gonzo shouts, "STOP THE PRESSES!", and Jerry Nelson with his real life daughter (who tragically would succumb to cystic fibrosis not long after the film was completed) passing Kermit in the park (although you can only see him from behind, Brian Henson is also riding a tricycle at the end of "Couldn't We Ride?, pulling the characters on their own bikes). All in a all a high point in the Muppets' long and storied career.
So how would you rate this one? And since it is his birthday as mentioned before, how has Jim Henson affected your lives? (I'd go into detail here, but seeing how I already have with others, I'll wait a while on my own tribute)?
Posted by mamamiasweetpeaches (Member # 1715) on :
It's my second favorite. My #1 is THE MUPPET MOVIE.
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
The Great Muppet Caper is my favorite, probably because I love all the songs.
We are DEVO
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
The Great Muppet Caper was cool. I saw it in theaters and I remember Burger King was selling Muppet Caper drinking glasses at the time. I collected all 4. Unfortunately, I only have one now.
I have to say though that The Muppets Take Manhattan was my favorite movie. I remember seeing it in theaters. This is where they introduced the Muppet Babies and I thought it was the cutest thing ever. I loved the song that played during that scene. I also loved how Kermit and Piggy got married at the end and sang, "He'll make me happy each time I see him..." Ahhhh, I think even as a kid, I got teared up. Too sweet...
Posted by Devolution (Member # 1731) on :
Devolution here,
Good thing I brought the paper towels!!!!
We are DEVO
Posted by mamamiasweetpeaches (Member # 1715) on :
That Miss Piggy and Kermit gettong married song ALWAYS makes me cey, as does the one she sings the first time she sees him at the fair in the first movie "Never befoooooore and never agaaaain"
Posted by Chris the CandyFanMan (Member # 3197) on :
But was it indeed a real real wedding? Kermit would probably state otherwise...at the risk of much karate chopping, of course.
Manhattan had the moment that most made me cry with the the Muppets, the "Saying Goodbye" number. Although you know everything's going to work out in the end, they make it heartbreaking enough that the gang is going their own ways.
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
Watched Muppet Caper a couple of nights ago. Such a cute movie..love the dance numbers and adore Miss Piggy!
I own both this one and Muppets Take Manhattan but I think I may have only seen The Muppet Movie once.
Looking forward to the new Muppet Movie. I don't think I've seen the Christmas one, but I like Muppets In Space. Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
OMG....I love all of the Muppet movies. I just bought The Muppets Take Manhattan on Blu-ray...my fav of the bunch. I own them all except Muppets From Space and I love all of the Christmas ones...there's four of them now. The newest one, Letters From Santa, is actually pretty good. I'm looking forward to the new one! * Also have the Burger King glasses...but all four of them cindy!
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
The Muppet Christmas Carol is one of my fave Christmas films, but can't say I've been that keen on the few other Muppet films I've watched.
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