Same Old Muppet Satireby Anonymous
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December 16, 2007:
After reading some of the above reviews, I felt the need to bring people back to reality. Jim Henson, Frank Oz,the Muppets, their performers and writers, et al. have always been on the brink of rebellious nature. Furthermore, Henson & Co. have always been aimed at adults - look at their original Saturday Night Live skits, their Wilkins Coffee commercials and scenes from their other movies - they have always borderlined on adult - like material. Plus, through the decades the Muppets, Henson & co. have been satirizing pop culture, mocking its shortcoming and its absurdist ideas and foibles. Modern culture, at its most ridiculous and absurd, deserves to be mocked and put on display for all to see its downfalls. Who better, like SNL, Andy Rooney, than the Muppets to be the irritant that shows society where to scratch in order to see it needs change? It takes a felt king prawn to visualize the shallowness of constant sexual pleasure, a fuzzy bear to show how society does not accept diversity nor exhibit compassion to the lowly and it takes a small frog to show exactly how humanity has been made to behave, not what it has become - all by juxtaposing hilarious humor and heart - rending pathos for which Henson, the Muppets et al have been known for throughout the better part of a half a century. Lighten up, people what you see being displayed on the screen is the result of humanity's - our - magnanimously growing idiocy, and its undying ignorance to recognize its folly - all done in biting, outrageously funny and touching satire. Let's not forget the accompished satirizing of classic American films done so expertly. Unfortunately, as a high school English teacher, I see that youth is so out of touch with such satire and criticism of societal wrongdoings, that of course, the Muppets are being aimed at adult audiences. Watch the film again with a fresh respective. Whoopi GOldberg as God? Innately rebellious, superbly satirical, and thought - provoking. Then again, that is what the Muppets are for.
Just enough of the old Muppet Magic!by Anonymous
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March 26, 2006:
I avoided seeing this Christmas special for a while, considering the direction The Muppets have been headed lately. But finally I decided I shouldn't judge something before I've given it a chance. As expected, the humor was hardly up to the standards of the Classic Muppets, which is unfortunate. Though I don't entirely blame The Muppets. They've always tried to stay current and keep up with the latest trends in pop culture. The problem is pop culture has taken a nose dive in recent years, at least in my opinion. Anyway, on to why this special gets 4 stars instead of 0. While the humor wasn't always on target, the story's moral message was strong and clear. Kermit is struggling with losing the theater and letting his friends down. He's so depressed he wishes he was never born. I think we've all felt that way at some point, I know I have. In the end, Kermit sees how much he means to his friends and the rest of the world. Everyone is important and can make a difference, no matter how small. He also realizes how silly he was to wish he was never born. He should have just said he was having a bad day! Seeing Kermit feel better definitely inspired me to have a more positive outlook on life. And that's ultimately what The Muppets are all about. As long as they can still do that, The Muppets will still have an audience. :) (That being said I wish older Muppet specials were more available on DVD!) P.S. It was good to see Scooter again(even if his voice was different) and nice to hear him still using his Uncle to impress people!