VHS Review: The Muppet Movie (1979)
The first muppet movie proves to still be as iconic as ever
Introduction:
I was scrolling through Disney + when I saw the muppets were celebrating their 70th anniversary and I didn’t realize that it had been that long since they’ve been around. There’s a fascinating docuseries from Defunctland on YouTube that details the history of Jim Henson and the Muppets that I’ll link here since I think it’s really fascinating learning about the work that went behind it. But going back, seeing that it was the 70th anniversary of the muppets. It made me want to go back to a film that has been years since I’ve watched it, but I have a ton of nostalgia for. So it felt like the perfect time to go back to it. After watching it I’m happy to say that The Muppet Movie still has so much charm to it and there’s a lot to appreciate about it
Review:
The Muppets Movie throws all these characters into their first movie together and it’s able to offer a lot greatness that you can attach to it while watching it.
For one, The story of The Muppet Movie balances a lot of elements that offers a fun time watching it. I like that it’s technically the muppets watching their own movie together so we’re basically watching a movie within a movie. The story of how they got there start is great here and doing something like this is other films can get annoying with them trying to explain why things are the way that they are with it being an origin story, but the film doesn’t do that here and it’s more focused on telling a engaging story instead. It’s also helped with it being a road trip story as well so we get to see a lot of different set pieces and characters in interesting situations. The side plot with Charles Durning’s character trying to turn Kermit into a spokesperson for his Frog Leg business offers as well a lot of funny banter between the characters and adds an fun and interesting conflict for the plot.
The movie is full of characters that are easy to love and I think everyone that has heard of the muppets have at least one that they connect with in some way. With a diverse cast of characters like this, it’s easy to find one to have appreciation for. For me, it has always been Kermit and he’s someone that I’ve always had an appreciation for. I also love my boy Rowlf as well lol. Not only do you have the muppets, but you have the variety list of cameos from different celebrities as well that look like they are having a joy make this. You have Steve Martin, Cloris Leachman, Richard Pryor, Carol Kane, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, and so many other celebrities that fit right into this movie. You of course have the legendary Orson Welles who probably has one of the greatest cameos of all time with this movie saying a couple lines, but having huge impact within it. Also shout out my boy Big Bird making a cameo as well.
You also have a ton of jokes that still make me laugh to this day. I think the jokes work here just because of how casual they are with it rather than trying to force an explanation of the joke to the audience and they don’t linger on the joke too long. There’s jokes like “drinks on the house” and they go on top of the house for the drinks and “There’s a fork in the road” with a huge fork placed on the road. It’s also able to break the 4th wall in a way where it doesn’t feel forced and it’s used wisely through the film. It’s used creatively and used properly for when it feels right to do it.
The music also is incredible. I have so much love for Rainbow Connection and it’s probably one of my favorite songs ever and seeing it performed here for the first time fills me with emotion. Not only that, but you have a ton of other songs here like “Movin’ Right Along, “Can You Picture That”, “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday”, and many more songs throughout the film that shows the talented songwriting that is filled through the muppets catalogue.
The best thing about the film though is the heart behind it. You can feel through the film the passion that Jim Henson and his team had for this project and it’s spread out through the entirety of the film. The movie is about following your dreams and finding people that are similar to you in your ambitions and passion along the way. It’s inspiring to watch and see these characters get what they want by the end. Not only that, but you have the technical creativity in there as well with the team trying new techniques. I still get impressed seeing Kermit riding the bike or him coming out with the cowboy hat and boots and it’s fun seeing this team of people coming up with unique ways of showcasing the immense talent that they have. The only real problem I have with the film is the pacing can be a bit slow at some points and makes the film drag a little bit with that. But beside that, this film is filled with so much love and passion behind it that makes me have a deep appreciation for it all.
Final Thoughts:
The Muppet Movie has so much heart attached to it and a lot of elements that make the film filled with creativity. This movie is easy to see why the Muppets have been so iconic. They’re inspiring to watch and Jim Henson and his team really made something special with this.
Kermit is one of my fictional Heroes. Just hearing the first few notes of The Rainbow Connection gives me chills.
Never seen it must give a watch, muppets treasure island is an all time favourite for me