New Muppet Movie

[Magenta Panther]

because people nowadays want thrills and the latest CGI and special effects and aren't as interested in puppets. They also remember the last 4 or 5 Muppet films and how they were cheesy borderline lame. Lastly they've become much like the Fab 5 have become...children focused because of what the last group of movies did the franchise. I think the whole Muppet franchise will now miss the mark with the majority of the young adult demographic either because it seems too "Kiddie" or too "old fashioned", and that's Disney's fault. I don't deny they have a cult following, but I really don't think the mass appeal will be there when this movie hits the theaters.

I don't see how it's Disney's fault. The Muppets are what they are. I think they ARE old-fashioned, but that could work in their favor, since nostalgia is a positive force when it comes to family movies (even that dumb Smurf movie is doing well). BUT the Smurf movie, and the Chipmunks, and even Yogi Bear, were given the high-tech CG treatment, thus making them seem new again. I don't know if that will make a difference with the Muppet movie or not (does it have any CG in it? The trailer didn't seem to have any in it). But again, nostalgia is a plus for family movies, so maybe the Muppets will do okay. :shrug:

 

[devoy1701]

I don't see how it's Disney's fault. The Muppets are what they are. I think they ARE old-fashioned, but that could work in their favor, since nostalgia is a positive force when it comes to family movies (even that dumb Smurf movie is doing well). BUT the Smurf movie, and the Chipmunks, and even Yogi Bear, were given the high-tech CG treatment, thus making them seem new again. I don't know if that will make a difference with the Muppet movie or not (does it have any CG in it? The trailer didn't seem to have any in it). But again, nostalgia is a plus for family movies, so maybe the Muppets will do okay. :shrug:

ahh... I didn't realize that the purchase of Jim Henson's Muppets by TWDC was as recent as 2004 and that this was the first theatrical release since the purchase....so it is not Disney's fault (but could be barring the success/failure of this movie)! (though Disney did product Muppet's Treasure Island which wasn't very spectacular)

I for one hated the treatment that the Smurfs and Chipmunks got on the big screen and haven't yet seen Yogi (though don't plan to either).

Like I said, I hope that this movie does great and that I'm wrong in my predictions here. We'll see how it does next month.

 

[brightlillstar]

I think the Muppets are timeless. I was born well after "The Muppet Show" and I LOVE Muppets.

I think the appeal with Muppets, like with many Disney characters is the characters themselves. The Muppets also have their own unique sense of humor which can be applied to many concepts. So they can apply their humor to today's culture. I think Muppets will always be relevant.

 

[mitchk]

The Muppets are still known by young kids today, it just takes us older people to push them in that direction :animwink: I have a 7 month old girl, and she loves Sesame Street, and that is really like the Muppets for the lil kids. A buddy of mine has a soon to be 3 year old girl, and she loves the Muppets, and it was the same thing, she started with Sesame Street, and than the Muppets, and she loves them. It's all up to us parents now to turn our kids on to all of Jim's timeless, classic shows, and movies. Past, and present :sohappy::wave:

 

[Thrill]

ahh... I didn't realize that the purchase of Jim Henson's Muppets by TWDC was as recent as 2004 and that this was the first theatrical release since the purchase....so it is not Disney's fault (but could be barring the success/failure of this movie)! (though Disney did product Muppet's Treasure Island which wasn't very spectacular)

I for one hated the treatment that the Smurfs and Chipmunks got on the big screen and haven't yet seen Yogi (though don't plan to either).

Like I said, I hope that this movie does great and that I'm wrong in my predictions here. We'll see how it does next month.

Well, the thing with the CG remakes is that they were successful, and that's the main conversation with the Muppets as far as longevity goes. Quality is an issue with us fans, but everyone else has to enjoy it.

Fortunately, those remakes did relatively well despite being sub-par (I've only seen Chipmunks and 5 minutes of Yogi Bear. Yogi Bear scared the crap out of me, as I was supposed to be seeing Tron Legacy, but they put the wrong movie in.). If the Muppets are half-decent, they can do just fine at the box office. I can't imagine it being a particularly expensive movie, either.

I don't think it will flop. There's a decent fanbase, the Muppet viral videos are doing fine, and it's just a classic in general. I can imagine parents going to see this movie with their kids to introduce them to the Muppets.

 

[JustInTime]

I have never cared for the Muppets (except the muppet babies). But I think this movie will do ok.

 

[erasure fan1]

The Muppets are still known by young kids today, it just takes us older people to push them in that direction :animwink: I have a 7 month old girl, and she loves Sesame Street, and that is really like the Muppets for the lil kids. A buddy of mine has a soon to be 3 year old girl, and she loves the Muppets, and it was the same thing, she started with Sesame Street, and than the Muppets, and she loves them. It's all up to us parents now to turn our kids on to all of Jim's timeless, classic shows, and movies. Past, and present :sohappy::wave:

Thats very true. There is not a kid in our family, niece or nephew that doesnt love the Muppets. Why? My wife and I will take credit for that. :animwink: :lol:

I have been a critic of what muppets have done over the past few years. After X-mas carol its not been very good. I hold no characters in higher regard than the Muppets, they are my favorites by far. I have to say that the trailers for this movie give me a lot of hope. I was skeptical at first with Segal but now its turned more into excitement for what he can bring to the franchise. Bring on November!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thats very true. There is not a kid in our family, niece or nephew that doesnt love the Muppets. Why? My wife and I will take credit for that. :animwink: :lol:

Amen! My boys are 15 & 13 yrs old. Each has a favorite Muppet. How would they know anything about those characters? Because this Muppet Show kid showed them.

I watched that show as a little kid and we looooved it. Going to Gramma & Grampa's house and enduring the Lawrence Welk show was an event for us just to see the show on their big color console tv. My Grampa was a total kid at heart and loved the Muppets right with us. I remember watching the episode where Blondie was the guest star and being totally dazzled. In the 80s I bet I watched 'The Great Muppet Caper' on HBO 3 times a day during the summer. Loved it each and every time. In fact, I recently bought that movie on DVD and watched it with my own kids. They love it, too! Aaaaand, when the Muppet Christmas Carol was in the theater my mom was fresh from her 2nd divorce. She loved that movie and insisted on taking me to see it. I think that was like maybe the 2nd movie I saw in a theater with my mother...and the last one, now that I think about it.

I have the first seasons of The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock on DVD. Loooove them dearly! Need to get more seasons of both. My boys think I'm out of my mind the way I get excited, bounce around, sing along, etc. when I watch. So fun!

I'm sooooo beyond excited for the new movie. I think it looks awesome. I love that they're kicking back to the Muppet Show as part of the plot. I can't wait to see it!

 

[brightlillstar]

I disagree with saying that kids needs the latest CGI. I think kids are attracted to the same things we were attrracted to when we were kids - characters we can relate to, humor that didn't condescend, and a fun storyline. CG is just one way to tell a story.

 

[imagineer boy]

I disagree with saying that kids needs the latest CGI. I think kids are attracted to the same things we were attrracted to when we were kids - characters we can relate to, humor that didn't condescend, and a fun storyline. CG is just one way to tell a story.

Agreed. Plus you can't really make the muppets CGI, that would defeat the whole purpose of them.

 

[devoy1701]

I disagree with saying that kids needs the latest CGI. I think kids are attracted to the same things we were attrracted to when we were kids - characters we can relate to, humor that didn't condescend, and a fun storyline. CG is just one way to tell a story.

I think you missed my point. I didn't say that kids need CGI to be entertained.

I say they want it, and mostly don't appreciate anything less than the best graphics, etc. In fact most of our society today demands it and it's quite sad. It's the same reason why people find the Tiki Room boring and you see kids and parents alike walking around with DSes and iPads or playing on their phones while in line for rides at Disney.

I don't think most people appreciate a lot of the things you spell out anymore... they prefer crude humor, CGI, shoot-em-up games and movies... Any many of those are the reasons why Disney as a company has had trouble in the past (deciding whether or not to create a second studio label to allow for more crude movies, adopting CGI and computer assisted animation, etc).

Personally, I appreciate the Muppets, and the Fab5 shorts and will definitely be introducing them to my kids.

 

[twinnstar]

because people nowadays want thrills and the latest CGI and special effects and aren't as interested in puppets. They also remember the last 4 or 5 Muppet films and how they were cheesy borderline lame. Lastly they've become much like the Fab 5 have become...children focused because of what the last group of movies did the franchise. I think the whole Muppet franchise will now miss the mark with the majority of the young adult demographic either because it seems too "Kiddie" or too "old fashioned", and that's Disney's fault. I don't deny they have a cult following, but I really don't think the mass appeal will be there when this movie hits the theaters.

I couldn't disagree with you more. "people" who want CGI can go to their Transformers and other crappy films - this has nothing to do with CGI - its essentially a comedy. Not everything has to have CGI to be successful.

The music videos by OK Go and Weezer. The album of Muppet covers by rock bands, and all the viral you tube videos prove that the Muppets still have a strong adult fan base.

Also - I think a child would appreciate a Puppet MORE than CGI, if its done correctly, because its something that's tangible. There are plenty of kids shows that are wildly popular that are 2D animation, have puppets, or are simply live action. When's the last time you saw CGI on Sesame Street?

 

[mitchk]

Hey ... Let's all hope this movie is a huge hit :wave: Maybe we will see TGMMR at the DHS :sohappy:

 

[CountryBearFan]

Sorry did a quick search, and didn't find this http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Muppets_(2011) :shrug: I'll tell you, I'm a big Muppet fan, and I thought this was going to be the movie that put the Muppets back in the spotlight, but I really doubt it now. The plot seems a bit recycled, and the voices ...... don't even get me started on them. I hope this turns out to be a great movie, but that preview does not look to special to me

It's under Muppet Movie News

Please be more respectful of the voice actors. As I said before, there's more to a character than just a voice--it's mostly about the performance. For example: Steve Whitmire's Kermit may not sound exactly like Jim's, but he has that character's spirit down pat and has great acting and improv skills, as well as being a professional puppeteer who actually got to work with Jim Henson when he was alive. You wouldn't want him to become nothing more than a stale copy, would you?

Recasts are a necessity in order to keep our favorite characters alive. If everyone went by that mentality, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, et al. would've been silenced forever by now. :hammer:

 

[GenerationX]

I watched that show as a little kid and we looooved it. Going to Gramma & Grampa's house and enduring the Lawrence Welk show was an event for us just to see the show on their big color console tv. My Grampa was a total kid at heart and loved the Muppets right with us.

I, too, remember going to grandma and grandpa's house and having to suffer through the Lawrence Welk show. However, in my case, the TV was much smaller and the couches all had plastic over them. And grandma and grandpa had no idea what a muppet was. My parents, on the other hand, loved the original Muppet Show along with me and my sister.

A few years ago, VH1 ran a bunch of I Love the 70s shows, and they ended the entire decade's shows discussing how awesome the Muppet Movie was complete with Jason Mraz singing the Rainbow Connection.

If the new movie lives up to the zaniness of the old show and original movie, I bet it will be a HUGE hit. People like me who grew up with the Muppets will be taking our kids in droves. If the first Alvin and the Chipmunks movie was successful (and its quality was kinda spotty), then why can't the Muppets do better?

 

[Magenta Panther]

Hey ... Let's all hope this movie is a huge hit :wave: Maybe we will see TGMMR at the DHS :sohappy:

No offense, but I sure hope not. Let's upgrade the actual Great Movie Ride first. While I hope the movie does well too - because it has the Disney label on it, if nothing else - personally I think the park has just enough Muppets as it is.

But here's an idea - maybe if the GMR gets an upgrade, a scene from a Muppet movie could be in it. Kermit on a log singing that rainbow song, for instance...the Muppets certainly lend themselves to the AA treatment (which is just mechanical puppetry, when you get right down to it).

 

[dr_teeth90210]

park has just enough Muppets as it is.

You can never.... EVER have enough Muppets.

 

[slappy magoo]

I still don't think Miss Piggy looks as cute as she used to, and I still don't get why. The people in charge of creating all of the puppets have got great examples to look back on. It's not like they're working from scratch. I saw a clip on youtube the other day from the Muppet Show where Kermit and Miss Piggy are in her dressing room, and she looks amazing. I just don't get it...

To be fair, she was a lot younger then... :lookaroun

 

[Magenta Panther]

To be fair, she was a lot younger then... :lookaroun

So was everybody who worked with the Muppets in those days. Maybe the designers need their eyes checked? :animwink:

 

[SpectroPhoenix]

On the subject of the parks, does anyone remember that great special "The Muppets at Disneyworld"? It was technically the last project that Jim Henson worked on. It's a lot of fun and is classic Muppets. I found an outtake video on Youtube, it's hilarious!