 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Muppets Take Manhattan
- Review Date: March 30, 2006
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1984
Common Sense Media says
Maybe the least-appreciated and best Muppet movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What 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.
What's the story?
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.
What families can talk about
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!
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Hidden issues parents should be aware of
Overall, not a bad movie for children. A lot of good messages are present, but I would not rate this movie as child-friendly as, for example, the Winnie the Pooh series. Parents should be aware that Dabney Coleman's character smokes in the film. Also, one female muppet remarks to another that she will "not take off her clothes, even if it is 'artistic'." These items did not seem to faze my 8-year old, probably because they went over her head - but parents should be aware of their presence in the film.
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AGE
this is one funny movie
the best muppet movie ever
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AGE
Cute flick
I picked the 5 to 7 age range 'cause I don't think it's good for 2 yos but many 3s and all 4s will enjoy. You may have to explain what "Broadway" and a "musical" are and why Kermit doesn't remember his friends but it's good fun.
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Kid, 11 years old
February 23, 2012
AGE
Kinda
Well, they have positive messages but they say stuff like crap and hell I think. But this is an old movie so okay.
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AGE
There certainly is violence!
Kermit & friends go to Manhattan to put on a musical and first run into a crooked producer who, when police arrive, takes Gonzo and a Chicken hostage. Though slapstick and cute for grown ups, the violence-- putting two harmless Muppets in physical peril, and used as the introduction to producing a play in NY-- set an undercurrent of fear for my 5 year olds. In addition, the scenes following have the Muppets getting repeated rejections from other, simply uncaring producers. These first segments show the Muppets living in lockers, being held captive and rejected, while going hungry. All with very few positive reinforcements.
And that's where we stopped watching. Yes, I know that's not the entirety of the film, but as a writer, I'm always appalled at this sort of easy out to create conflict.
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| Topics: | friendship, music and sing-along, puppets |
| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Frank Oz |
| Cast: | Dabney Coleman, Juliana Donald, Lonny Price |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 13, 1984 |
| DVD release date: | June 5, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | general audiences |
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