by ·Comments Off on Dad Movies (Looney Tunes vs. Muppets)

K’s dad was in town.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981, Jim Henson)

Our biggest failure of a group movie choice in ages, the hostile viewing environment not helping the experience. Too bad, since it’s got great songs and the best puppetry, taking the characters into natural environments and action scenes and making you ask “how’d they do that” every few minutes.

–
Race to Witch Mountain (2009, Andy Fickman)

The Rock pals around with a couple of misunderstood aliens, one of whom is the girl who helped out Mid-Sized Sedan in Rebel Ridge. Semi-remake of a couple Disney movies from the director of Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry. The pd187 writeup of this is better (and possibly longer) than the movie.

–
Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003, Joe Dante)

I’ve seen this before, great movie, nothing to add.

by ·Comments Off on The Muppets (2011, James Bobin)

Large-faced actor Jason Segal had a dream to resurrect the Muppets on the big screen, full of celeb cameos and musical numbers so he called up Flight of the Conchords (not Jemaine – he must’ve been busy on Men In Black 3). Proven cutey musical lead Amy “Enchanted” Adams is a love interest, Chris Cooper a villain, and Jack Black an unwilling celebrity guest.

And it worked! Good movie, full of the same self-referential humor and silliness as the originals. Plot revolves around Segal’s friend (brother?) Walter, who is a muppet, idolizes the 1970’s Muppets and convinces them to reunite to hold a fundraiser to save their old studio from an evil oil baron. Two of the voice actors/puppeteers are from the original Muppet Show (and Fraggle Rock too) – including Gonzo. So why is Gonzo barely in the movie? (edit: oh it’s because of Muppets From Space) This one was Kermit and Fozzie-heavy, so maybe they’re saving the others for the next movie.

My favorite bit from the IMDB trivia: “Bret McKenzie taught Chris Cooper how to rap.”