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The Muppets Take Manhattan | Year: 1984 Classification: Feature Film Family Actors/Actresses: - Brooke Shields - Frank Oz - Jim Henson The Muppets Take Manhattan and then Give it Back The best Muppet Movie ever? It is a debate that rages on still today. Let's simplify the debate a little, by clearing one thing up. There are only THREE Muppet movies. I don't like to count the ones made after the tragic passing of the magical Jim Henson. His general spirit is missed in them, not even mentioning he not only provided the voice for Kermit the Frog, he WAS Kermit the Frog. That was him, that scrappy, intelligent, witty little frog...that was Jim Henson, and nobody could ever replace him. So that leaves three Muppet movies to choose from: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Muppets Take Manhattan. As I child, I always felt a special connection to The Muppets Take Manhattan, seeing as I had it on tape and I watched it constantly. As I grew, I would see the others, and I liked them, but I felt they never measured up to my favorite, The Muppets Take Manhattan. It all starts in college: The Muppets are graduating, and they're putting on their stage show, and everybody loves 'em. Kermit announces after the successful show that the Muppets are going to take their show to Broadway. Kermit and his buddies ship off to New York, encountering obstacles and splitting up, missing each other and then finding each other again. BUT WHERE'S KERMIT? He's been hit by a car and he's lost his memory! Then he starts to work for an advertising agencies with other frogs! He adapts to his surroundings. He doesn't know where or who he is. But soon, Gonzo finds him, and the show goes on and it's a smash! But that wedding scene...every time it comes on I can't hold the tears back. My God it's magical. It'll change you inside! It's the BEST MUPPET MOVIE EVER! The Muppets Messed-up DVD The Muppets Take Manhattan is the third Muppet film and although not the strongest, it's sure to entertain the entire family. The story follows the Muppets on their quest to get their show, "Manhattan Melodies", produced on Broadway. It's a terrific story that hits at the core of what the Muppets are all about, namely putting on a show. Sure the music isn't as memorable as that in the first muppet movie (except "I'm Gonna Always Love You"), but you can't help appreciating the lengths to which the Muppets will go to entertain you. Singing chickens? Got 'em! Frogs with hair? Check! Unbelieveable action sequence? Of course, and it's unbelieveable in more ways than one! A Muppet staple is the cameo and they abound in this film. Everyone from Liza Minelli to Art Carney sets some screen time. Joan Rivers is particularly funny in her over the top make-up scene with Miss Piggy. For all you Trekkers, Gates McFadden even appears as a secretary to a con man! The film is great entertainment, but this DVD has problems. First of all the digital tranfer isn't that good. Plenty of older films like Fantasia look stunning on DVD, but not this film. There is a graininess to the picture that can be discracting and artifacts abound. Sound is presented in only a mono format. Was the original film released this way? I don't know, but if so some mention should be made on the packaging, otherwise it feels like we're getting ripped off. On a positive note the film is presented in both a formatted and widescreen version. As for the other bonuses, there is a strange feature called "Muppetisms" that I can't really figure out. They are minute, minute and a half long segments featuring one or two muppets just goofing off and benign wacky. Not too sure what it's all about, but it was fun to watch - once. By far the best bonus feature is the interview with Jim Henson. He talks a bit about the making of the film, how decisions are made and such. It's an incredible peek into the creation of a Muppet film. There is one glarig problem though - the chapter stops are just little minute or so long bits of the interview. To see the whole thing you have to continually stop and start up again. It's a big mistake and makes watching the entire thing quite a chore. My final word on this edition is buy it for the widescreen version of the movie only. The transfer isn't that good, the bonuses aren't that great, but the film itself is a real treat. Not the strongest Muppet film, but not the weakest either. If you have the video and don't care about widescreen, you can easily (and sadly) pass on this DVD. If not, pick this up for a fun romp around Manhattan that you and your family are sure to enjoy again and again. Another Great Muppet Classic For ALL Ages If you like the Muppets, you don't need to be reading this review. Just buy this classic Muppet movie. If not, I'll try to give you a glimpse of the great show this really is. 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