The Muppet Movie (1979)

Please click the links to read my reviews of The Muppet Christmas Carol, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street and Elmo Saves Christmas.

Synopsis: Green felt puppet travels America, befriending weirdos along the way

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “It’s a lights, camera, action-packed good time!”

What Did I Learn?: 1) Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem don’t look like Presbyterians. 2) A bear’s natural habitat is a Studebaker. 3) Life’s like a movie. 4) You don’t go to Bombay India to become a movie star [I guess Jim Henson wasn’t familiar with Bollywood?] 5) Sparkling Muscatel is one of the finest wines of Idaho. 6) When a German scientist tells you to hold on to your hat, it’s not casual conversation – you HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT! 7) The phrase “drinks on the house” works every time. 8) Kermit performed all of his own stunts. 9) Patriotism swells in the heart of the American bear. 9) I’m obviously a big softie because even today, I get a lump in my throat any time I hear Kermit sing “The Rainbow Connection.”

You Might Like This Movie If: you can picture that. 

Really?: 1) Oh my, how does one judge the credibility of The Muppet Movie? I realize a number of sight gags and scenes aren’t meant to be taken seriously (a bar called the “El Sleazo?” An actual giant cream-filled pie that’s mounted on a billboard?), but I had a little bit of trouble believing Doc Hopper could somehow find the time to chase and terrorize Kermit across the continental USA (doesn’t he have a business to operate?), or that he would later decide to kill Kermit, considering Kermit is only valuable to him as a live spokes-frog. Come to think of it, why doesn’t it ever occur to Kermit to call the cops?

Rating: The jokes are corny (you have to be in the mood for a lot of bad puns), the songs are sappy, but The Muppet Movie is the best of the Muppet films, and it will always hold a special place in my heart (see: “What Did I Learn?” #9) It’s easy to enjoy The Muppet Movie’s impressive puppetry, gentle-but-off beat humour and interplay between so many beloved characters, but it’s especially interesting as an allegory on Jim Henson’s professional success. Highly recommended. 10/10 stars.

The Muppet Movie (1979) - IMDb