Muppets From Space Released By:
Col/Tri Home VideoFeatures:
1999; 88 Min; Rated G; Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby Surround English; Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85) and Pan and ScanExtras:
"Live" video commentary with Director Tim Hill, Kermit, Rizzo and Gonzo; Outtake reel; "Shining Star" music video; Cast biographies; Theatrical Trailers.Review:
Everyone has childhood memories, most of those memories shape our very being. Me specifically? Star Wars, hatred for disco and the Muppets. You can go ahead evalute my mental stability at this time...Muppets From Space is the first Muppets' adventure since Disney's Muppets Treasure Island, and Henson Pictures' move to Columbia/Tri-Star. Unlike the last two efforts from Disney, this movie is a completely original story, based upon Gonzo's musical number "I'm Going Back Someday" from the original Muppet Movie. This is according to the liner note provided inside the disc. Gonzo's always been the odd Muppet out when it comes to his origins and that's what Muppets From Space gleefully address.
The basic story line is this. Gonzo begins to recieve messages in his cereal asking "R U THERE." After begin strcuk by lightning on the roof of the Muppets house, and becoming comsicly enlightened, his quest is clear. He must prepare for his outer space brothers to arrive.
There's the usual assortment of Muppets we all know and love, such as Gonzo, Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Animal, Beaker et all. Plus, the new crew introduced during the short lived series Muppets Tonight, and and annoying new Shrip ("I'm A King Prawn!") named Pepe. The only Muppets missing in action, as is tradition in most of these films, are the Sesame Street characters. Probably because, in a wise decision, Henson Productions doesn't want to corrupt the innocence of Sesame Street characters. Believe me, if you've watch all incarntions of the Muppets like I have, you know what I mean.
Also brought back into this film is the traditional, large ensamble of human cameos, similar to the first Muppet movies. Jeffery Tamborn is the evil govenment angent, trying to catch an alien. Andie MacDowell is a news reporter. F. Murray Abraham plays Noah, Ray Liotta is a rent a cop who is... seduced by Piggy? Josh Charles (Sportsnight) plays on of the Men In Grey, a term created by Gonzo on the commentary. Even Hollywood Hulk Hogan makes a cameo.
Columbia nailed this disc. Not only is it a good family movie, it provides enough extras to appease any old Muppets fan. The commentary featuring Tim Hill, Gonzo, Kermit and Rizzo is hilarious, because it doesn't stoop down to a child's level. It's in the orginal spirit of the non-Seasame Street Muppets, they let loose with intelligent wise cracks, and inside jokes about the making of the film. It's approached as if all of the character are real, work with unions, have bad days, and everything.
The presentation of the film is flawless. This anamorphic presentation doesn't show any signs of gain, while the color are vibrant and leap off the screen. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is fairly aggresive, considering this is essentially a low budget production. Not only is there decent use of split surrounds, there's a strong left, center, right front mix of the film. The third chapter "Brick House" is a prime example, especially when the kitchen blow up.
Unfortuantely, as all of you know, Jim Henson has been gone for many years now, I would have like to seen him play around with DVD. Hopefully, when Henson productions goes back and re-issues the remianing Muppet films, this much care will be taken with each of them. Maybe we'll even get a commentary from Miss Piggy, Fozzie for the Muppet movie... provided Yoda isn't busy.
The film ranks about a 6, the Heson crew has finally created a Muppet movie based on thier own ideas again. It's about time. It apprent that that Henson Pictures and the Muppets have been left in good hands.
The disc's presentation ranks a 7. Bring on the rest of the Muppet films Columbia.
Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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