I love the Muppets. I do. I am a gown man and I absolutely love these wacky guys. In my eyes, the Muppets can do no wrong. And this movie is all the proof I need. This movie even has all the original voice actors for the Muppets, which is just always a joy to hear. With its celebrity cameos, catchy songs, and that classic Muppets humor, The Muppet Movie is simply delightful and left this viewer with a huge grin.
One classic staple of Muppet movies are the celebrity cameos and this movie does not skimp. Mel Brooks as an evil German doctor. Carol Kane as a running joke. Richard Pryor as a balloon vender. There are probably many more but I’m too young to recognize them. My personal favorite cameos in the movie is a tie between Steve Martin, who plays the passive aggressive waiter waiting on Kermit and Ms. Piggy’s date, and Big Bird. Yes. Big Bird makes a cameo in this movie and it is absolutely delightful. Right alongside all the cameos are the catchy songs.
This movie is full of the most delightful and catchy songs. I mean, this movie opens with the Oscar nominated “Rainbow Connection.” How can it get any better than that? But that’s not the only great song. When Kermit and Fozzy start their road trip they sing “Movin’ Right Along.” A song that I dare you to listen to and not have stuck in your head all day! Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem also have a musical number that is just as fun to watch as it is to listen to. Kermit and Rowlf sing a duet about being heart-broken that is filled to the brim with frog and dog puns. Ms. Piggy has a beautiful love ballad right after seeing Kermit for the first time. I could go on and on about all the songs in this movie. To save your time, I’ll just sum it up and say all the songs are fantastic and super catchy.
More then the cameos. More then the songs. People watch the Muppets for that classic Muppets sense of humor. I will never not laugh at that shot of Kermit the Frog ridding a bike. His legs just look so goofy. It’s delightful. Some other charming jokes are when Fozzy is asked what flavor ice cream he wants to which he says “Honey” and the vendor replies “Honey? I beg your pardon, I hardly know you.” When Kermit and Fozzy run into Big Bird they ask if he needs a ride to Hollywood to which Big Bird responds “Oh, no thanks. I’m on my way to New York City to try to break into public television.” At one point Kermit calls everyone by what animal they are but calls Gonzo a “whatever.” These jokes and more are why for the entire movie I was smiling ear to ear. But, my favorite joke has to be when the gang’s car breaks down in the middle of a dessert and they are rescued by Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. Who then explain that they knew where to find them by reading the movie’s script. Man! I love this movie.
If you have young kids. Please show them this movie. Or, really any Muppets content. The shows, the movies. I love them all. They are all so full of wholesome, clever humor that I think the world needs more of. The cameos, the songs, and humor all help to make this film stand the test of time. I give this film 10 goofy looking Kermit the Frog legs out of 10.
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