The Muppets Take Manhattan

Starring Puppets and Cameos

After college graduation, Kermit, Piggy, Gonzo, Rolf and the rest of the gang decide that they should take their talent show to the Great White Way ~ we're talking BROADWAY, baby! Unfortunately, the sometimes unscrupulous and often jaded producers are less than enthusiastic about countless random animals doing their amateur act. Soon the crew fears they're relying too much on Kermit, and everyone invents reasons to go out on their own, leaving Kermit alone to sell the show. Once he finally finds a producer willing to take a chance on a menagerie of Muppets, tragedy strikes in the form of an amnesiac leading actor. The show must go on ~ but will they have all the original characters?

I know - "It's The Muppets! How can you not give a Muppet movie at least four stars by default!?", you say. One word - SINGING! I can't stand musicals, and if you're the type of person that rolls their eyes when people randomly break into song, then this movie is not for you. It did help that this movie was about making a musical trying to make it to Broadway. I mean, some of the singing wasn' really at random, and it's easier to tolerate singing puppets than actual people singing.

Trust me, if there weren't Muppets in this movie, it would have been lucky to get one star. So, if you're a big muppet fan, then this movie is totally worth seeing. If you're not a Muppet fan, then you're probably not going to even consider watching this movie anyway, but just in case - If you're not a Muppet fan, and you don't like musicals, RUN! FEAR THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN!

Sometimes Jonny Fashbaugh and I have a difference of opinon that seems too large to be overcome. How can you not adore ANYTHING related to the original Muppets? Now I could understand if this was Muppets From Space (which I STILL adore!) but to not love this one is tantamount to mental deficiency.

Gregory Hines and Joan Rivers' cameos are enough to compensate for any number of small flaws. (Unless you hate movies where they burst into song.) Kermit's attempt to join the advertising business brings what I feel is the biggest laugh: "Ocean Breeze Soap - it's like going on a cruise, only there's no boat and you don't actually go anywhere." Comedic genius fun for the whole family.

I hate to admit that I get goosebumps at the end of this movie, but there you have it. God bless Jim Henson and Frank Oz. They make me so happy.