The Muppets Take Manhattan

The Muppets Take Manhattan
Kermit the frog and his troupe of performing friends head for the big apple with plans to turn their small musical play manhattan melodies into a big broadway hit. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/27/2008 Run time: 95 minutes Rating: G
Customer Review: Muppets are a hit!
I love the Muppets and their innocent perspective in such a cruel city as NYC in the 80s. This video is worth every penny and makes me so happy!
Customer Review: Wocka Wocka !!!
The Muppets Take Manhattan captured my attention the moment it started; and I never felt bored at all. The plot moves along at just the right pace even though, of course, some of the plot is rather predictable. Jim Henson, Frank Oz and all the rest worked so well to make this a strong Muppets movie; and they clearly succeeded. The cameos are well done and the cinematography is excellent. Some people will tell you that the transfer of this film to DVD is just average--and, unfortunately, they're right. However, it's still quite enjoyable; and the picture quality isn't as bad as all that. When the action starts we see a college senior variety show performed by The Muppets. The editors carefully create the impression that college kids are applauding wildly after the show ends; and pretty soon our gang gets the itch to go to Manhattan and put their show ("Manhattan Melodies") on Broadway! They go to Manhattan by bus and sleep in lockers at The Port Authority; but after several months nothing comes of their efforts and they sadly bid each other good-bye hoping that someday they will all be together once more. Of course, the plot gets more fleshed out than just that. Kermit takes a job at a Manhattan coffee shop where he befriends Jenny (Juliana Donald) whose father Pete (Louis Zorich) owns and works the shop. Pete is a gruff guy but we see him soften up a bit when he gives jobs to rats (yeah, I know, ewww). He also gives Kermit work. Meanwhile, as his friends work their gigs and try to make their ways through life, Kermit remains in New York City, working at Pete's and trying to find a producer to put their show on Broadway. I really like the "retro" feel of the Muppets' show entitled "Manhattan Melodies." It's not unlike the flavor of 42nd Street and similar musicals from the `30s. The flashy costumes for the puppets and the catchy, sing-a-long type "show tunes" work very well. Will Kermit ever get the show to Broadway? How will Miss Piggy take it if she ever finds out her beloved Kermit is hugging Jenny, even though Kermit and Jenny are just friends? No plot spoilers here--watch the movie and find out! The DVD comes with an interview with Jim Henson but the interview is cut up into 90 second and 2 minute segments; I agree with the reviewer who writes that this is frustrating. There are "Muppetisms" which are essentially three very brief, poorly done and rather zany clips of Muppet characters. You also get to choose between watching the movie in fullscreen or in widescreen. The Muppets Take Manhattan is a creative movie with fine cameo appearances by everyone from then New York City Mayor Ed Koch to Art Carney and Brooke Shields; and that's grand. It leaves you both charmed and happy that you watched it. It appeals to children and the child inside all of us, too.