The Muppets Take Manhattan (G)
Maybe the least-appreciated and best Muppet movie.
(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Seen the movie?
Movie details
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- Directed By: Frank Oz
- Cast: Dabney Coleman, Lonny Price, Juliana Donald
- Running Time: 95 minutes
- Release Date: 07/13/1984
- Video/DVD Release Date: 06/05/2001
- Genre: Family and Kids
- MPAA Rating: G
- MPAA Explanation: general audiences
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has no objectionable material. They may need to explain a few references, like Mayor Ed Koch and the allusions to old movies.
Families can talk about the way that the Muppets get along, despite being "a frog, a bear, a pig and a ...whatever" (referring to Gonzo). Parents can emphasize multiculturalism, even the idea of New York City as a melting pot of diverse races over the years. But don't make it too heavy -- it's a Muppet show, after all!
Families can talk about the way that the Muppets get along, despite being "a frog, a bear, a pig and a ...whatever" (referring to Gonzo). Parents can emphasize multiculturalism, even the idea of New York City as a melting pot of diverse races over the years. But don't make it too heavy -- it's a Muppet show, after all!
Message
Social Behavior:
The motley, multi-species Muppets could be seen as a nice metaphor for multicultural urban society getting along.
Consumerism:
References to the characters on related Jim Henson franchises, "Muppet Babies" and "Sesame Street."
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Not an issue.
Violence
None.
Sex
Language
No problem.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Charles Cassady, Jr.
In THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN, Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo are all graduating from the same regional college together. Riding high on the success of their senior variety show "Manhattan Melodies," a confident Kermit decides they should take their production to Broadway. They arrive in New York, but an enthusiastic producer turns out to be a crook and they decide to temporarily disband. When the son (Lonny Price) of a legitimate showman decides to stage "Manhattan Melodies," a new crisis arises -- Kermit has amnesia. Unbeknownst to his friends, he's working at an all-frog advertising agency, and the show can't go on without him. Most of these silly complications provide the lightweight excuse to do full-fledged all-singing, all-dancing musical numbers in grand old-fashioned style, culminating in the wedding (!) of Kermit and Piggy, a development that no subsequent Muppet movies have acknowledged.
Is it any good?
In some ways this is much like a redo of the original Muppet Movie, showing how the bunch all broke into show business, though with a different and fresh orientation and energy that never lets down, and done in the zesty spirits of the old Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland "let's put on a show" musicals that poured out of MGM.
Humor here is expertly pitched to all age groups. Adults will notice the prominence of a Muppet rat named Rizzo, a nod to Dustin Hoffman's role in a more sordid portrayal of Manhattan life, Midnight Cowboy. For kids the reference slides safely past. The movie uses its setting in clever and consistently amusing ways. When the hopeful Muppet troupe arrives, they set up residence in bus station storage lockers. Also, during their disillusionment with NYC, they discover the restaurants are full of rats -- Muppet rats who cook and serve the food.
Other choices
|
Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 3 reviews.
Adult Reviews
There are 2 reviews.
Kids Reviews
There are 1 reviews.
Who's your favorite TV holiday special character?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
27%
The Grinch
34%
Frosty the Snowman
11%
Charlie Brown
18%
Shrek
10%
207 votes