Muppets Take Manhattan
Director: Frank Oz
Cast: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt
When Kermit (Jim Henson) and his friends graduate college, they journey to New York to realize their dream of having their show produced on Broadway. Although they discover that the road to stardom is fraught with difficulty, the Muppets ultimately come together to make their dream come true.
One of the things that really intrigued me about Muppets Take Manhattan is that it asked the question “What would happen if the bond forged between the Muppets was broken?” When Kermit and his friends graduate college they are faced with a difficult choice between going to New York to realize their aspiration of being on Broadway or saying goodbye and going their separate ways alone. In the beginning, they choose to remain together as a family, but when achieving their dream proves elusive, there is a moment of frustration when Kermit expresses that maybe they truly are better off alone.
As the Muppets say goodbye and go their separate ways, their ambitions of being stars on Broadway now just a sentimental memory, Kermit remains behind, his unwavering devotion to fulfill his dream still very much intact. The irony of the Muppet’s journey is that while they appear to be succeeding in their new lives, in truth, none of them (even Kermit) are truly happy alone. In the calm after the storm, Kermit realizes that if he wants to fulfill his quest of bringing his show to Broadway, he must first bring his fractured family together again. The irony of this dilemma is that once the Muppets are eventually reunited and their dream is finally about to be realized, Kermit – the frog whose faith in his dream kept it from being extinguished forever – loses his memory and it is left to the rest of the Muppets to help Kermit remember his dream.
I want to take a moment to pay homage to the creator of the Muppets Jim Henson. Jim Henson was an inspired storyteller; a man whose vivid imagination and gift for expressing life through puppetry created beloved and timeless characters whose emotions and personalities have captured our hearts and made them come to life for us since we were children. While he is responsible for such creations as Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock, Jim Henson’s greatest legacy is realized in his most beloved character Kermit the Frog. Muppets Take Manhattan was the last time that Kermit the Frog would be brought to life by Jim Henson. He passed away in 1990, and this beloved character would nevermore be voiced by his creator. Shortly after Jim Henson’s death the Muppets came together to say their own goodbye to the man who had brought them to life in so many ways. As they honor Jim Henson through song, Kermit joins them and we see a picture of Jim Henson hanging on the wall beside Kermit. As I listened to the song (with tears flowing like a river down my face) it was almost as if he was still there watching over them and believing in them. Even in the latest chapter of the Muppet saga the spirit of Jim Henson is still very much a part of the Muppets. There is a scene in the movie The Muppets when Walter is touring the abandoned Muppet Studios. As he gazes around at familiar mementos of a half-forgotten past in Kermit’s office, there is a photo of Jim Henson with Kermit hanging on the wall. It is comforting to see that even after so many years; the creator of these beloved characters is still with them, even if his presence is only a nostalgic memory.
I have always loved the Muppets, and the film Muppets Take Manhattan is one of my favorites. While it lacks the full presence of the Muppet family for much of the movie, the sentimental essence of what makes these characters so special is still very much there. The songs (particularly Saying Goodbye) add a perfect emotional tone to a well-told story and the chemistry between the characters (especially Kermit and Miss Piggy) makes this an enjoyable film for both children and adults. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves the Muppets.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Frank Oz
Cast: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt
When Kermit (Jim Henson) and his friends graduate college, they journey to New York to realize their dream of having their show produced on Broadway. Although they discover that the road to stardom is fraught with difficulty, the Muppets ultimately come together to make their dream come true.
One of the things that really intrigued me about Muppets Take Manhattan is that it asked the question “What would happen if the bond forged between the Muppets was broken?” When Kermit and his friends graduate college they are faced with a difficult choice between going to New York to realize their aspiration of being on Broadway or saying goodbye and going their separate ways alone. In the beginning, they choose to remain together as a family, but when achieving their dream proves elusive, there is a moment of frustration when Kermit expresses that maybe they truly are better off alone.
As the Muppets say goodbye and go their separate ways, their ambitions of being stars on Broadway now just a sentimental memory, Kermit remains behind, his unwavering devotion to fulfill his dream still very much intact. The irony of the Muppet’s journey is that while they appear to be succeeding in their new lives, in truth, none of them (even Kermit) are truly happy alone. In the calm after the storm, Kermit realizes that if he wants to fulfill his quest of bringing his show to Broadway, he must first bring his fractured family together again. The irony of this dilemma is that once the Muppets are eventually reunited and their dream is finally about to be realized, Kermit – the frog whose faith in his dream kept it from being extinguished forever – loses his memory and it is left to the rest of the Muppets to help Kermit remember his dream.
I want to take a moment to pay homage to the creator of the Muppets Jim Henson. Jim Henson was an inspired storyteller; a man whose vivid imagination and gift for expressing life through puppetry created beloved and timeless characters whose emotions and personalities have captured our hearts and made them come to life for us since we were children. While he is responsible for such creations as Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock, Jim Henson’s greatest legacy is realized in his most beloved character Kermit the Frog. Muppets Take Manhattan was the last time that Kermit the Frog would be brought to life by Jim Henson. He passed away in 1990, and this beloved character would nevermore be voiced by his creator. Shortly after Jim Henson’s death the Muppets came together to say their own goodbye to the man who had brought them to life in so many ways. As they honor Jim Henson through song, Kermit joins them and we see a picture of Jim Henson hanging on the wall beside Kermit. As I listened to the song (with tears flowing like a river down my face) it was almost as if he was still there watching over them and believing in them. Even in the latest chapter of the Muppet saga the spirit of Jim Henson is still very much a part of the Muppets. There is a scene in the movie The Muppets when Walter is touring the abandoned Muppet Studios. As he gazes around at familiar mementos of a half-forgotten past in Kermit’s office, there is a photo of Jim Henson with Kermit hanging on the wall. It is comforting to see that even after so many years; the creator of these beloved characters is still with them, even if his presence is only a nostalgic memory.
I have always loved the Muppets, and the film Muppets Take Manhattan is one of my favorites. While it lacks the full presence of the Muppet family for much of the movie, the sentimental essence of what makes these characters so special is still very much there. The songs (particularly Saying Goodbye) add a perfect emotional tone to a well-told story and the chemistry between the characters (especially Kermit and Miss Piggy) makes this an enjoyable film for both children and adults. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves the Muppets.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.