All The Muppet Movies for Muppet Wish Day

(0:36-end mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run play the camera moves back to see James on top of the slab with the words “The Last Of The Americans” on it before cutting to James physically)

TLOTA:

I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and The views I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. What else can I say but... The Muppets! (Cut to clips of The Muppets throughout the years as "The Muppet Show" theme song plays in the background and James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

Mixing old school Marionette style movement with hand puppetry Jim Henson who we lost far too early in 1990 gave us a legacy that stands the test of time! While TV was the Muppets was bread & butter for me they shined when they had the time to expand on the voodoo they do so well in the movies.(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

So for Muppet Wish Day I am going to go through ALL the Muppet movies in one shot! (Cut to clips of The movies starring The Muppets as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

Now there are some ground rules I need to lay down. One, The movies have to be about The Muppets and they have to be made for the big screen! No made for TV movies or specials and Kermit's Swamp Years are not going to be reviewed. Two, None of the other Jim Henson based productions that were made for the cinema are not going to be reviewed. So movies like "Follow That Bird", "The Dark Crystal", "Labyrinth" and the Live Action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies from the 1990's are going to be passed over and finally I will try to keep the Spoilers to the barest minimum I can for the few of you who have not seen. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

So let's start off with our first foray for Kermit and the gang with "The Muppet Movie" (Cut to the Opening credit of "The Muppet Movie" before cutting to clips of "The Muppet Movie" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

Written by Jack Burns and Jerry Juhl, Produced by Jim Henson and Lord Lew Grade, Directed by James Frawley and released in 1979. The movie about how The Muppets met and all the adventures they had getting to Hollywood including dodging a Fast Food  wannabe impresario Doc Hopper wanting Kermit to become his mascot for his Frog Leg Franchise. Can Kermit and the gang make it to Hollywood to make it big and stop Doc Hopper from doing whatever it takes to make Kermit to be his Mascot? Well you will have to watch the movie to see. What I loved about this movie was how innovative it was with the performances of the Muppets, it took chances on how The Muppets could be performed. The cameos are entertaining. The music provided by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher is iconic and I can think of a moment from the movie at times when I didn't even think I was doing it and if that is a sign of how successful a movie is then you know how successful your movie is.  (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

But it would take the Muppets team four days after the second anniversary of the first movie to release one of their greatest movies they would ever make. "The Great Muppet Caper" (Cut to the opening credit of "The Great Muppet Caper" before cutting to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

What can I say that few haven't said and what I haven't said already. This was one of the first movies I ever saw! It helps me get through February 14th and I put it on when I need to have a good laugh and some harmless fun! "The Great Muppet Caper" directed by the man himself Jim Henson. The movie is so great that telling you the story would do the movie is an injustice. They demolish the fourth wall in a way Deadpool would only look at, eat his weight in Chimichangas and sigh in defeat! If you haven't seen this movie then WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! Watch it, get it on DVD, Blu-Ray or Digital Download and give it all your attention! It is worth it!(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

How they would better themselves after making one of the greatest movies ever made? Simple they'd take three years after making "The Great Muppet Caper" to create one of the most entertaining Muppet movies ever with "The Muppets Take Manhattan" (Cut to the opening credit of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" before cutting to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

Directed by Frank Oz, The story focuses on Kermit trying to sell his musical to a Broadway producer and all the adventures that happen to Kermit and everyone who had separated until Kermit gets the musical sold. What really makes this movie is the story, the music and the Cameos from the likes of Dabney Coleman, Gregory Hines, Liza Minnelli, Former Mayor Ed Koch, Brooke Shields, Art Carney and Gates McFadden! Yes Trekkies, Dr. Crusher from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is in a Muppet Movie! A Part of this movie's legacy was how it helped generate one of my favorite animated series of all time! (Cut to opening credits to "Muppet Babies" before cutting to James physically.)

TLOTA:

Another part of the movie's legacy sadly is the fact that this would be the last movie Jim Henson would perform Kermit in a Muppet movie as six years after this movie the biggest tragedy in the history of The Muppets happened. (Cut to clip of Peter Jennings sadly announcing the Death of Jim Henson then clips of Jim Henson's Funeral as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

Jim Henson died in May of 1990 of Toxic Shock Syndrome leaving a legacy that would grow years after his passing. But for kids who were born in the 1970's & 1980's their childhoods were killed when Jim died. Old school Muppets fans like myself are still in shock to this day that Jim is gone but thankfully he shall forever be remembered! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

Thankfully everyone at Jim Henson's company decided to keep The Muppets going because I think Jim wanted that to happen and two years after Jim Henson's successor for Kermit, Steve Whitmire had established himself as Kermit would we get the first Muppet Movie since Jim Henson's death with "The Muppet Christmas Carol" (Cut to opening credit of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" before cutting to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

And to be honest this movie was just simply the Charles Dickens classic starring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge and the rest of characters being played by The Muppets but what makes the movie is the emotional range Michael Caine gives Ebenezer Scrooge, the music definitely sets the tone and the fact Brian Henson, Jim's Son directed this movie and it shows how much the movie has been considered the closest to the actual source material.  (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

Probably why Brian directed the next movie which was released four years after "The Muppet Christmas Carol" with "Muppet Treasure Island" (Cut to opening credit of "Muppet Treasure Island" before cutting to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

While like the predecessor this movie based on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson classic there was really little different except the fact that the Muppets are in it and they play the characters save for Billy Bones played by Billy Connolly, Jennifer Saunders who plays Mrs. Bluveridge, Kevin Bishop as Jim Hawkins and of course Long John Silver played by of course the always enjoyable Tim Curry! I guess what makes the movie is the environment and the music. With songs like "Shiver Me Timbers" and of course (Show "Cabin Fever" song as it is intercut with James and everyone of Team TLOTA go dancing along with the movie and song before cutting to James continuing his voiceover as "Muppet Treasure Island" continues)

But yeah, aside of a few good moments this movie kind of is one of the weaker movies in the Muppet movie franchise but still it is entertaining. Though the fact this was the last movie directed Brian Henson which is sad but still not a bad note to go out on.  (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:

However I wished he had controlled things much better on a movie that is not bad but in terms of Muppet Movies is considered the weakest in the entire Movie franchise. "Muppets From Space" (Cut to opening credit of "Muppets From Space" before cutting to clips from "Muppets From Space" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

I've already discussed the pros and cons of this movie in an edition of "In Defense Of..." and I stand by them. While the movie is not good, it's not bad either. While a lot of it feels like a good parody of  bad family films I have to say that I kind of have to agree with hard core Muppet Fans that this movie would've had Jim rolling in the Taos, New Mexico area where his ashes are scattered. But this movie sadly is the last theatrically produced movie by Jim Henson Pictures as Disney would buy the Muppets brand. Save for this movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
And while Disney would do TV projects with The Muppets it would take until 2011 for Disney to bring The Muppets back to the Big Screen with "The Muppets" (Cut to the opening of "The Muppets" before cutting to Clips of the movie as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
And from the beginning you could tell that this was a movie for the fans by a fan of the Muppets. Jason Segel starred in, helped write and executively produce this movie and you can tell that Jason was hands on in making this movie. The story was amazing. Essentially a reunion movie. The Muppets have to come back to save the Muppet Theater from a ruthless oil tycoon. I love every aspect of this movie and I will admit for the first time as an adult I cried when the new Muppet Character Walter performed by Peter Linz was in Kermit's office and one of the photos they panned to was a picture of Kermit and the man behind him Jim Henson and if a movie can make me feel something then it has to be amazing. If you have kids who haven't seen either Sesame Street or The Muppets in any way shape or form then this is a great way to introduce Kermit and the gang to a whole new generation.(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
With the success of "The Muppets" many people would assume Disney would capitalize on what happened and bring another movie out quickly. Well without Jason Segel helping in the production would it capture what the 2011 movie? We'd find out in 2014 with "Muppets Most Wanted" (Cut to opening credit of "Muppets Most Wanted" before cutting to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
And to be honest it was good. The plot was somewhat reminiscent of "The Great Muppet Caper" but it didn't feel like a knock off. While it was nice to see Walter return and see an honest to god Muppet villain that can actually challenge The Muppets in a way not even time can hold a candle to, Meet.... Constantine and guess what... (First time Constantine in unveiled as a dramatic musical sting before cutting to James physically)

TLOTA:
WHOA MY GOODNESS IT'S KERMIT'S EVIL TWIN! (Cut to clips of "Muppets Most Wanted" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
Actually there are some difference between Kermit and Constantine and if you've seen Adorkable Rachel's Review of this movie you know what they are. There is however another reason why this movie has become more memorable over the past few years as one of the final performances of  Steve Whitmire as Kermit The Frog before his unceremonious departure after 27 years as Kermit only for Constantine's performer Matt Vogel to become only the Third most known performer to be Kermit The Frog and my thoughts on Matt Vogel's Kermit is... (Cut to Muppet Of The Week with Kermit being performed by Matt Vogel before cutting to hear a ground shaking explosion at James' office as James runs out to see his team using Fire extinguishers)

TLOTA:
WHAT IN THE SAM HILL HAPPENED?

Olivia Horvath:
The Polarizing meter exploded!

TLOTA:
Hasn't happened since "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice!" (James grabs a fire extinguisher and joins the other as the flames subside as everyone looks at James)

TLOTA:
Uh was working on quickly reviewing all the Muppet Movies and I just had to show the clip of Matt Vogel's debut as Kermit The Frog. Yeah, I know that look on your faces about Kermit's new performer but you can not deny the impact of the movies The Muppets made.

(Cut to clips of all the Muppets Movies as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
These movies are amazing! The stories of these movies are incredibly entertaining, the acting from the human actors is incredible, the humor is incredible, the writing is timeless, the music has aged well like fine wine, it is a part of my childhood and believe it when I say it should be a part of everyone's childhood because everything good and imaginative in childhood. Get them on Blu-Ray, DVD or even watch them on any Streaming site that will show these movies. As long as you get a chance to watch and share these movies with the next generation then we know Jim Henson's legacy will stay alive! Will there be more Muppet Movies in the future? Well that's up for Disney to decide. But as much as I want to wish for it to happen, I'm not holding my breath.  (Cut to James and the rest of the team physically)

TLOTA:
So until that time when I can watch the Muppets on the big screen again, Let's enjoy what we have. I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans...

Everyone (In Unison):
AND THAT'S OUR OPINION!