The Muppets Take Manhattan [G]

When Kermit and his friends graduate from college, they entertain their classmates with a musical of their own creation. Upon hearing their classmates say that the show should be taken to Broadway, Kermit decides “why not”? But things take a negative turn when they reach New York. As each producer rejects them, the Muppets realise that they can’t keep relying on Kermit to pull them through and they each go their separate ways. Kermit becomes determined to get the show on Broadway and bring all his friends back. Will it happen? 

Upon seeing it again since childhood, I have come to the conclusion that this was one of the lesser Muppet movies made. Unfortunately that’s the way of the world isn’t it? What you remember being really excellent as a child turns out to not reach those lofty standards when you’re an adult. Oh well. 

Upon graduating from college, Kermit and his friends the Muppets, entertain their graduating classmates with a musical of their own creation called Manhattan Melodies. When one classmate asks if he’ll see the Muppets on Broadway, that gets Kermit and the Muppets thinking why not take the show to Broadway? Before you know it, they’re in New York City persistently pitching their musical to every Broadway producer in town. But as the rejections begin to pile up and their short supply of money runs down, the Muppets begin to realise that they failed and it’s not fair for them to keep relying on Kermit to solve their problems. So it’s with heavy hearts, but for the greater good, that they say their farewells and go their separate ways. Determined to bring all his friends back, Kermit still stays in New York and hatches a three-stage plan to get Manhattan Melodies onto Broadway. 

Starring all our favourite characters: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Rolph, Scooter, Gonzo, Camilla, Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and Rizzo the rat, The Muppets Take Manhattan is a cute, yet somewhat average movie. Much better suited to have stayed in one’s childhood. 

Filled with new songs, a sometimes funny script, a cheesy ending, and a couple of surprise cameos, it’s a film that I enjoyed, but if I were going to have it in my collection, I would not spend more than $10 on it.