It was brought to my attention recently, that I did not give due reverence to a staple of childhood. Not just my childhood, but that of countless others in my generation. A group of entertainers that taught us the value of friendship, love and that living in bus station lockers was the most economical way to sell your show on Broadway! The Muppets.
I was not one of the "fortunate" kids who was able to watch The Muppet Show on TV. Alas, my formative years in eastern Kentucky did not include the plethora of cable channels available to children in larger cities. I had to, instead, make due with Muppet movies on VHS. Which were a pretty decent trade-off, if I do say so myself!
Like so many of my 1980's staples; I rediscovered Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and all their friends as an adult and have fallen in love with them all over again for completely new reasons. The humour of the prat falls, funny voices and cute characters have been replaced with satire, sarcasm and a greater appreciation of the cameos. Therefore, I have decided to make a list of my favorite Muppet movies.
After much deliberation, I've opted to only include "Muppet" movies that star Kermit and the gang. This is not to say that I didn't love and adore other Henson classics like Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Merely that I have to set boundaries somewhere!
1. Muppets Take Manhattan: The third of the classic Muppet movies was my favorite. Most likely because I thought of myself as the greatest actor in my church and the best ballerina in
my little class of other 6 year olds. What little girl wouldn't love the idea of starring in a play on Broadway (or the introduction of The Muppet Babies)? The tale of one noble frog's persistence to see his dream come to fruition, even if it means he must bid farewell to the pig of his dreams and all his friends (all the dogs and bears and chickens and things) is something we all face as we grow older. Most of us go on to find something stable...but the dreamers, the Kermits of the world, they fight for their dreams and don't give up. "The frog is STAYIN'!!" You should re-watch this movie, if for no other reason, than to see Joan Rivers' cameo...her transformation from 1984 to 2007 is more frightening than amazing!
2. The Great Muppet Caper: I must admit, I didn't think much of this movie when I originally saw it. The misadventures of our furry, foamy friends in England didn't appeal to my young
self. However, when I went on a Muppet-movie-buying spree several years back, I picked up Caper on a lark. What I discovered was one of the greatest little gems of Henson's repertoire. What makes it so special to me now is it's comic take on movies as a whole; having characters comment on everything from the people in the credits (Fozzie: "Kermit, do people actually read these names?" Kermit: "Sure. These people have families.") to the acting chops of the Muppets themselves. (Piggy: "I am playing 800 different emotions!" Kermit: "Well, try to play one of them right!") Of all the Muppet movies, Caper garners the most guffaws of joy from me. Watch it again for the first time!
3. The Muppets Christmas Carol: Ah, Dickens. I think when he envisioned his tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim; he must've pictured Michael Caine, Kermit the
Frog and Kermit's real-life nephew Robin. Yes, in fact, I'm sure that's what good ol' Charlie was thinking, "Gee, I hope that within the next century or so a frog stars in this movie!" This ties with Scrooged as my favorite rendition of Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". The first Muppet movie released after Jim Henson's heartrending death in 1990, I was pleasantly surprised with Brian Henson's maiden voyage. Cute songs, great use of the characters and lots of arguably "new age" Muppet humour. Love it!
Honourable Mentions: Call me sacreligious, but The Muppet Movie falls in this category. As
with Manhattan we find our gang on a quest to break into Hollywood, all meeting each other and building lasting friendships along the way! This initial big-screen Muppet film was wonderful but didn't quite have the pull for me that the three above exhibited.
I was not one of the "fortunate" kids who was able to watch The Muppet Show on TV. Alas, my formative years in eastern Kentucky did not include the plethora of cable channels available to children in larger cities. I had to, instead, make due with Muppet movies on VHS. Which were a pretty decent trade-off, if I do say so myself!
Like so many of my 1980's staples; I rediscovered Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and all their friends as an adult and have fallen in love with them all over again for completely new reasons. The humour of the prat falls, funny voices and cute characters have been replaced with satire, sarcasm and a greater appreciation of the cameos. Therefore, I have decided to make a list of my favorite Muppet movies.
After much deliberation, I've opted to only include "Muppet" movies that star Kermit and the gang. This is not to say that I didn't love and adore other Henson classics like Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Merely that I have to set boundaries somewhere!
1. Muppets Take Manhattan: The third of the classic Muppet movies was my favorite. Most likely because I thought of myself as the greatest actor in my church and the best ballerina in
my little class of other 6 year olds. What little girl wouldn't love the idea of starring in a play on Broadway (or the introduction of The Muppet Babies)? The tale of one noble frog's persistence to see his dream come to fruition, even if it means he must bid farewell to the pig of his dreams and all his friends (all the dogs and bears and chickens and things) is something we all face as we grow older. Most of us go on to find something stable...but the dreamers, the Kermits of the world, they fight for their dreams and don't give up. "The frog is STAYIN'!!" You should re-watch this movie, if for no other reason, than to see Joan Rivers' cameo...her transformation from 1984 to 2007 is more frightening than amazing!2. The Great Muppet Caper: I must admit, I didn't think much of this movie when I originally saw it. The misadventures of our furry, foamy friends in England didn't appeal to my young
self. However, when I went on a Muppet-movie-buying spree several years back, I picked up Caper on a lark. What I discovered was one of the greatest little gems of Henson's repertoire. What makes it so special to me now is it's comic take on movies as a whole; having characters comment on everything from the people in the credits (Fozzie: "Kermit, do people actually read these names?" Kermit: "Sure. These people have families.") to the acting chops of the Muppets themselves. (Piggy: "I am playing 800 different emotions!" Kermit: "Well, try to play one of them right!") Of all the Muppet movies, Caper garners the most guffaws of joy from me. Watch it again for the first time!3. The Muppets Christmas Carol: Ah, Dickens. I think when he envisioned his tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim; he must've pictured Michael Caine, Kermit the
Frog and Kermit's real-life nephew Robin. Yes, in fact, I'm sure that's what good ol' Charlie was thinking, "Gee, I hope that within the next century or so a frog stars in this movie!" This ties with Scrooged as my favorite rendition of Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". The first Muppet movie released after Jim Henson's heartrending death in 1990, I was pleasantly surprised with Brian Henson's maiden voyage. Cute songs, great use of the characters and lots of arguably "new age" Muppet humour. Love it!Honourable Mentions: Call me sacreligious, but The Muppet Movie falls in this category. As
with Manhattan we find our gang on a quest to break into Hollywood, all meeting each other and building lasting friendships along the way! This initial big-screen Muppet film was wonderful but didn't quite have the pull for me that the three above exhibited.The second of my honourable mentions is only "sort of" a Muppet movie: Follow That Bird.
It's been years since I've seen this movie, but it's always held a special place in my heart. The story of Sesame Street's Big Bird searching for his place in the world tugs firmly on my heartstrings even today. I remember thinking upon its release in 1985, that I was "too old" to see this movie (yes, I was only 7). Sesame Street is, after all, geared towards toddlers and pre-elementary kids. However, Bird captured the same magic as the other Muppet treasures and is therefore enjoyable for kids (and adults) of all ages!Now it's your turn. I know you have thoughts. I know you have a favorite Muppet movie. Spill! Enquiring minds want to know!
Incidentally...just who is the "Amphiboogie Danci-Frog"?? Check out the "Kermit & Floyd" Muppetism on The Great Muppet Caper's Special Features to find out!
2 comments:
I beg to differ. There is no "sort of" when talking about Follow that Bird. He may be a little later in the Muppet generation, but Big Bird is most definitely a Muppet. :)
Muppets Take Manhattan is a brilliant piece of cinema. Kudos for making it number one!!
And now I have to go out and rent Caper because I barely remember it. :D
You were just born too late. I used to watch on Sunday nights on WCHS in Charleston ... pumped in with the sunshine before WYMT ever existed ... until she went off the air around 1981 or 82. Were you even born then?
Like many of our generations (I'm old enough to qualify as a different one, I think) the explanation of my life can trace its history back to the Muppet Show. The entire conceptual basis for my personality is Statler and Waldorf.
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