The Muppets (film series)
THE MUPPET MOVIE (U)
D: James Frawley
ITC (Jim Henson)
UK 1979
97 mins
Comedy/Musical
W: Jerry Juhl & Jack Burns
DP: Isidore Mankofsky
Ed: Christopher Greenbury
Mus: Paul Williams & Kenny Ascher
Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog / others), Frank Oz (Miss
Piggie / others), Charles Durning (Doc Hopper), Austin Pendleton (Max), Scott Walker (Frog Killer), Mel Brooks (Prof. Krassman)
The first Muppet feature film brings the characters from
the TV show onto a bigger canvas to showcase their act, with a self-referential storyline which sees Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy and the rest travelling across America to Hollywood so they
can appear in their own film.
The material is quite thin for the musical variety act's
first cinema outing, but it's clean, enjoyable family fun, with a memorable song ("The Rainbow Connection") performed by Kermit himself. The 2011 film, The Muppets (qv), was practically a
remake of this.
6/10
THE
GREAT MUPPET CAPER
Not yet reviewed
THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN (U)
D: Frank Oz
Tristar (David Lazer)
US 1984
94 mins
Comedy/Musical
W: Frank Oz, Tom Patchett & Jay Tarses
DP: Robert Paynter
Ed: Evan A. Lottman
Mus: Ralph Burns
Kermit The Frog (himself), Miss Piggy (herself), Fozzie
Bear (himself), The Great Gonzo (himself), Dabney Coleman (Murray Plotsky), Art Carney (Bernard Crawford), James Coco (Mr. Skeffington), Joan Rivers (Eileen)
The Muppets' third big screen outing (following The Muppet
Movie & The Great Muppet Caper) is amongst their best work, with the puppet variety act performing on New York's Broadway. It's basically a feature-length episode of their TV show, but
tons of fun for fans of Jim Henson's creations. Guest stars aplenty, but it's the muppets who steal the show.
6/10
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (U)
D: Brian Henson
Disney (Brian Henson & Martin G. Baker)
US 1992
86 mins
Comedy/Musical/Fantasy
W: Jerry Juhl [based on the story "A Christmas Carol" by
Charles Dickens]
DP: John Fenner
Ed: Michael Jablow
Mus: Miles Goodman; Paul Williams
Michael Caine (Ebeneezer Scrooge), Steven MacKintosh
(Fred), Meredith Braun (Belle), Robin Weaver (Clara), Kermit The Frog (Bob Cratchit), Miss Piggy (Emily Cratchit), The Great Gonzo (Charles Dickens), Fozzie Bear (Fozziwig)
A cheerful and fun adaptation of Charles Dickens'
perennial Yuletide classic aimed not just at children, but general fans of The Muppets.
Michael Caine (in human form) steps into the shoes of
Ebeneezer Scrooge, a Christmas-hating miser who changes his ways after being visited by a group of ghosts.
The usual Muppets (Kermit, Miss Piggy, etc.) don't appear
quite as much as you'd like them to, but it's still enjoyable enough for the older fans of the puppet comedy troupe.
6/10
THE MUPPETS (U)
D: James Bobin
Disney (David Hoberman & Todd Lieberman)
US 2011
103 mins
Comedy/Musical
W: Jason Segel & Nicholas Stoller
DP: Don Burgess
Ed: James Thomas & Alan Baumgarten
Mus: Christophe Beck
Jason Segel (Gary), Amy Adams (Mary), Chris Cooper (Tex
Richman), Rashida Jones (Veronica), Kermit The Frog (himself), Miss Piggy (herself), Walter (himself)
Practically a retread of their first outing. Kermit, Miss Piggy and co have all gone their separate ways and the Muppet studio is now owned by a oil tycoon who wants the buildings smashed to the ground. Cue Jason Segal, Amy Adams and a load of cameos to put on a Muppet-a-thon and save the day, complete with a load of great new songs from Flight Of The Conchordes' Brett McKenzie.
Yes, it's a kids film... But I think it's brilliant that muppets are back again for a new generation. Some things never grow old.
6/10
