In the run up to the (belated) release of the new Muppet movie here in the UK, I've decided to take a look back at the original three films, The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and Muppet's Take Manhattan, and try and get sorted what Jason Segel, James Bobin et al need to do to give us a proper Muppet film, and even if that's possible in this day and age.
It had been a long time since I last watched The Muppet Movie, probably not since I was a kid, and it just instantly draws you in. In fact, it made me kind of worried already about the new one, because I honestly don't know if it could replicate the silliness, the heart and the charm of the original.
The film (kind of mirroring creator Jim Henson's rise to fame) tells the story of how Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the rest of the gang became famous. Starting with Kermit sitting in his swamp singing The Rainbow Connection (a song that went on to be nominated for an Oscar) before leaving on the road to Hollywood, meeting his new friends along the way, everything about the film is a treat.
A air of danger is introduced with Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), a evil frogs legs restaurant owner who is relentlessly pursuing Kermit with eyes to make him his companies new spokesman/main course.
As is standard with Muppet movies, there's tons of cameos from the world of entertainment. Most kids today wouldn't have a clue who any of them are but it's generally amusing seeing the likes of Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Bob Hope and even Elliott Gould show up. They don't all hit the mark though, Mel Brook's appearance gets pretty tiresome, and it's frankly bizarre seeing Orson Welles crop up near the end. The best cameo, though, is saved for a cousin of the Muppet universe, let's just say.
But it's a minor quibble, everything else about the film caused a massive smile on this reviewers face throughout, the fantastic songs, the in-jokes (if the new Muppet movie isn't aware that it's a movie, then they are seriously doing it wrong) and the hilarious one liners ("Ah, a bear in his natural habitat - a Studebaker")
Another thing I hope the new film has taken from this, is that the film is about the Muppet's, not humans, they are incidental players in the whole story. Every human character in The Muppet Movie, bar Doc Hopper and his hapless sidekick, is just a cameo, and that is what makes it work so well. But time shall tell.
The Muppet Movie is fantastic fun for young and old alike. Sure, some kids won't get some of the dated references (I didn't get them all!), but there's loads here to recommend it. If you haven't seen it, and you want a crash course before the new film comes out, it's the only place to start.
****
A few ropey cameo appearances aside, this is a great film for kids and adults, who remember the Muppet's from when they were kids. Great songs, jokes, and tons of heart. You'd have to be made of stone not to get on with this.
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