Muppets

The Muppet's last movie, "Muppet's from Space" was released in 1999 and "The Muppet Show" finished its television run in 1981 and this is the premise of the "Muppets 2011" revival movie. After years of absence, the Muppet's are back. For many people who grew up in the late 70's and early 80's, this isn't just a children's movie, this is a return to their childhood. Those who remember "The Muppet Show" will be reminded how a collection of felt characters with all different personalities, would attempt to put on a variety show every week."The Muppets" 2011 is an absolute delight for a child who hasn't been exposed to the characters yet, as well as the child at heart who was longing for their return and didn't even realize it. The spirit of the Muppets is quickly established with a lighthearted delivery, song and dance and doing what the Muppets have always done by making puppets made of felt and cloth come to life. We are introduced to a Muppet named Walter who's brother, a human, changed and grew over time, while he stayed his same old Muppet self. Ever since the television show left the air in 1981, Walter had longed to be a part of a television show that was put on by people, or Muppets, like him. Out of place and never having his dream fulfilled, he finally gets his chance.The new movie is a collage of real life and movie. In the movie, we watch as the Muppets who have had a 12-year hiatus and are leading private sector lives, come together to bring back their television show and that is exactly what is happening in real life. The Muppets are back! There are moments in the movie too that made me feel how much I missed them. There are also moments that made me think of how the creators, Jim Hensen and Frank Oz are also gone and can't see how much the Muppets meant to us growing up."The Muppets" is quite simply a joy worthy of repeat viewing. There are people who break out into song and dance at the most inappropriate times, like sitting at a diner or chickens clucking to C-Lo Green's "Forget You". The songs are catchy. The story is fun. The Muppets personalities are just like we remembered them. It was like dusting off an old record and letting yourself go. I had almost forgot how long it had been since a movie had done that to me.The only thing I can say negatively about "The Muppets" is that it will leave you with a sense of disappointment. It is inevitable, especially for those who remember the show. Although it is disappointment in a good way because you know how much there is to the Muppets and you can't help but want more. Hopefully there will be more and hopefully they will continue to bring the Muppets back into our lives on a regular basis.

There are two reasons why I love this product. First, because of the content itself, and second the amazing job they did in this Blu-Ray release.The Muppet movie is surprisingly (and consistently throughout) hilarious. Just like the old Muppets, it is full of subtle, unhighlighted in-jokes, references, and celebrity cameos. In fact, I am not sure what percentage of people who saw the movie understood all the references. I'm sure although I caught a bunch I didn't catch them all. All the jokes are funny for all ages, and had me thinking of silly moments and chuckling for weeks after (Such as "Why does everybody forget about Hobo Joe!?")From a moral message standpoint, the Muppets shines out like many good Disney movies with a story about following your dreams, growing up, and never giving up. I don't have kids yet, but years from now I can't wait to sit with them and watch The Muppets together.This is also one of the best formatted Blu-Rays I've ever watched, and I really appreciate the extra work they put into it.From the start, there is a message saying which button to press to skip the ads. It's a little touch that makes me not mind the fact there are a bunch of trailers that auto play. Although, some of the trails were pretty nice, I do like being able to watch the new Brave trailer in high definition. the extra features are totally worth watching as well. Such as the mini-documentary (edited in such a way to reference the original Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy British miniseries) that is full of behind the scene footage featuring the "off-screen Muppets" that supposedly helped film the movie.There a tons of little secrets and quirks as well. I recommend at some point during the movie when you feel like taking a break to pause the movie for a while, and enjoy the "Intermission" show that comes on. I mean, on what other Blu-Ray can you say that you can sit down and watch the pause screen for 10+ minutes?On top of all that, for one price you get the Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital versions of the movie, in addition to the full Soundtrack. That's a pretty good value, I specifically really enjoy getting the Soundtrack for free as the music in the movie is so good/funny I was planning on purchasing it anyway.I highly recommend all Blu-Ray owners, or potential future Blu-Ray owners buy this three disc combo pack.

You know how when you have a happy experience while listening to some fun happy piece of music and how whenever you play the music again it reminds you of the happy experience? Well we were on the beautiful island of Hawaii a while back and I took the soundtrack from this movie with me and played it through the bluetooth of the rental car. So there we were enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian scenery listening to Mickey Rooney and Amy Adams and Kermit and Jason Segal sing "Life's a Happy Song" and "Rainbow Connection" and singing along in sheer Paradise-induced happiness! And like other that time we flew over another part of Hawaii many years ago in a helicopter listening to "Over The Rainbow" by the late great Israel Kamakawiwo'ole over the headphones...a song and a scene so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. Doggone, it was all just so doggone BEAUTIFUL... all of it, the music, the scenery, the company of my beloved Wifey! Hawaii is truly The Reward one gets for working and struggling and putting up with crime and traffic and taxes and politics...even if only for a short while before you have to go back home for a year or so. But now, now that we're back in The Mainland, with work and crime and traffic and taxes and politics, all I have to do is put in The Muppets or Kamakawiwo'ole in my ear (or the bluetooth in my car), and my mind and soul are instantly transported back to the Paradise that is Hawaii...or anywhere there is beautiful music and scenery and happy experiences with people you love, and like the song says, "...I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face!" Life's a Happy Song. It really is.P.S. This was supposed to be a movie review so here it is: It was a great movie!