Muppets from Space

Review

Common Sense Media says

Plenty of jokes and mayhem to keep kids and parents amused.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

AGE
6
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Muppets from Space is classic Muppet fare with jokes to keep the parents happy and a fun story for kids, with the valuable theme of an outcast trying to find his place in the world. There are some mildly suspenseful moments and lots of comic action sequences in which some of the beloved Muppet creatures, particularly Gonzo, are in danger --  lightning hits, a kidnapping, pratfalls, a Miss Piggy "punch-out" -- all exaggerated and meant to be funny rather than scary.

  • Educational value1
    Generally intended to entertain rather than inform. There are scenes showing the relationship of Earth to space with visuals of galaxies, stars, and planets.
  • Positive messages3
    Muppets from Space stresses that individualism is a plus. It's far better to respect differences (someone might be described as "distinctive" or "unique") rather than to ridicule them with words like "freaky" or "weird." Teamwork plays an important part in the story.
  • Positive role models3
    The Muppets stay true to form -- they are loyal, brave, understanding, and excel at problem solving. The villainous government baddie’s behavior is motivated by a history of being laughed at.  Authority figures are mostly insensitive, "just following orders" stereotypes.
  • Violence & scariness2
    Frequent cartoon action and peril. At the center of the story, Gonzo is electrified, kidnapped, squashed into a tube, threatened with brain surgery, and shot out of a cannon. An oven explodes; characters fall, catch on fire, and are subject to lab experiments. There’s some spooky music, a blinding rainstorm, and several instances of comic hand-to-hand combat. The outrageous villain threatens the Muppets with a futuristic gun.  
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What's the story?

The plot of MUPPETS FROM SPACE focuses on a question that has intrigued Muppet fans for years: Exactly what is Gonzo? Gonzo feels alone and outcast, even in the midst of the busy Muppet group house. He dreams that Noah refuses to let him on the ark because there is only one of him, and Noah wants only pairs. But then he begins receiving messages and learns that he is an alien, and that his alien family is coming to meet him. There is a problem, though. Edgar Singer (Jeffrey Tambor), who works at a mysterious government office that tracks aliens, captures Gonzo and orders a scientist to remove his brain for study. Gonzo's pal Rizzo the Rat is put in a cage with lab rats. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, and the others set out to rescue them.

Is it any good?

 

Like all Muppet movies, Muppets from Space has plenty of jokes to keep the parents happy while the kids are enjoying the story. There are sly references to just about every space movie classic, from The Day the Earth Stood Still to Independence Day and Men in Black (plus The Shawshank Redemption), and cameos from stars including Andie MacDowell, Ray Liotta, and David Arquette. The score includes music by James Brown, The Commodores and Sly and the Family Stone. 

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about why the Muppets are so popular. What do kids like about them? How about parents?

  • Have you ever flet like an outcast fro being different, the way Gonzo does?

  • How do you think Muppets from Space compares with other Muppet movies?

This review was written by Nell Minow
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
5
 
Good Clean Fun
This is a great kids movie.
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Teen, 15 years old
January 25, 2010
AGE
8
 
ok
It's not the best movie ever, but it's not terrible. It's very slapstick like most muppets movies, but it's pretty good.
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Helped me decide (19) | Had useful details (22) | Read my mind (19)
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Teen, 15 years old
November 29, 2011
AGE
5
 
Really funny!!!
I've loved this movie for a long time. Definitely a must watch!!!
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Helped me decide (16) | Had useful details (16) | Read my mind (19)
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Kid, 13 years old
November 25, 2010
AGE
6
 
Muppets from Space
I like the movie. It's funny, it's exciting, I like it. Not my favorite but not the worst either. There are some parts that are a little sad, but I like it!
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Helped me decide (14) | Had useful details (15) | Read my mind (17)
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Kid, 9 years old
February 29, 2012
AGE
3
 
Muppet Mania!
It is the BEST move ever. I highly recommend seeing this movie if you like the muppets.
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This review was written by Nell Minow
Topics:adventures, puppets, space and aliens
Studio:Columbia Tristar
Director:Tim Hill
Cast:Dave Goelz, Frank Oz, Jeffrey Tambor
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:87 minutes
Theatrical release date:July 14, 1999
DVD release date:October 26, 1999
MPAA rating:G
This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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