I agree with RojoHen about Segel and his writing of this film. I've watched the trailer several times now and I've pretty much had a grin all the way through this. It helps that Amy Adams is beautiful and charming as hell.
The Muppets (2011)
- Thread starter Kai "the spy"
- Start date
Nowhere Man
Commodore
Lookin good so far.
Actually, that was the original trend. The first Muppet movies (or TV specials) back in the early 70s were all like that; Frog Prince, Hey, Cinderella and so on). I actually prefer that approach to the Muppet Show approach. I do like the Vaudeville aspect of Muppet Show, but I don't think it should be the default for the Muppets.
I was pretty skeptical when I first saw it, but it actually looks like this one's going to be pretty awesome. They aren't going to molest my childhood with a CGI Kermit making double entendres and a poorly tacked-on moral at the end. It looks like it's going to be a straight-up Muppet-fest. Although the higher focus on human characters is a bit disappointing, it's a bit of a trend I've noticed in modern adaptations of franchises usually headed by anthropomorphic characters (like the sadly, sadly disappointing Garfield film).
When the trailer showed the Muppets in the arches a la the opening of The Muppet Show, that brought a tear to my eye. I'm sold.
And I think Jason Segal is great. I loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I think he's the best part of How I Met Your Mother. Probably because he reminds me so much of me. But, I do understand he's not for everyone.
And I think Jason Segal is great. I loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I think he's the best part of How I Met Your Mother. Probably because he reminds me so much of me. But, I do understand he's not for everyone.
And The Smurfs, starring another How I Met Your Mother cast member.
This trailer is more what Christopher wants, one that covers the film's plot, though it does start out a bit Dark Knight.
Not bad. There were some fun moments there (my favorite was the shot of Animal playing the triangle and looking thoroughly unhappy about it). And I'm pleased to see that Bobo the Bear is in the movie (in the fencing scene); he's a much more likeable Bill Barretta character than that damn Pepe. And yes, it actually seems to focus more on Kermit, Piggy, and Fozzie than Gonzo, Rizzo, and Pepe.
But I couldn't help being distracted by the fact that Steve Whitmire seems to sound less like Kermit than ever before, at least in the quiet speech that was heard several times in voiceover. He's okay when Kermit's being louder, but in that speech his voice just seemed to be generally weaker than usual (I guess he is getting older -- he's 51 now). It just reminds me how much I miss Jim Henson.
Speaking as someone who grew up on a mixture of Steve Whitmire-Kermit and Jim Henson-Kermit -- Henson died when I was about 5 or 6 -- I've never been able to tell the difference between the two. Nor do I want to -- it's all Kermit to me.
^ I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels that way lol.
Speaking as someone who grew up on a mixture of Steve Whitmire-Kermit and Jim Henson-Kermit -- Henson died when I was about 5 or 6 -- I've never been able to tell the difference between the two. Nor do I want to -- it's all Kermit to me.
Well, it's a vivid difference to me, partly because I have a very keen ear for such things, and partly because Henson was such a big part of my childhood -- and adolescence, for I was 21 when he died. His loss was very wrenching. It was so sudden and so unfair, and he was far too young. If he'd gotten treatment for his illness sooner, he could've easily been saved, but he was so selfless and unassuming that he didn't want to trouble anyone until it was too late. I was actually kind of angry at him for that, for depriving me and the world of his presence when it didn't have to happen.
Come to think of it, that means Steve Whitmire has been Kermit for just about exactly half my life -- and more than half of the time I've been old enough to be aware of the Muppets. But he's no Jim Henson. Granted, Whitmire does a pretty good Kermit impression for someone whose fundamental vocal timbre is so unlike Henson's. But it's that underlying timbre and rhythm that I can't help but notice beneath the surface Kermit-ness. It's a good approximation, a respectful tribute, but it's just not the genuine article, and it doesn't have quite the same character and vitality as the original. Henson's voice, like Henson in general, had a charm and style and energy that few could match.
By contrast, Eric Jacobsen does a really impressive job doing Frank Oz's characters. I was listening to him for years before I realized that it wasn't Oz doing the characters anymore, and I'm very rarely fooled by vocal impressionists/doubles. It wasn't until I knew Oz had been replaced that I began to notice the differences, and they're pretty subtle.
I feel like it's going to affect me in much the same way that Toy Story 3 did at the end.
I honestly never knew Frank Oz stopped doing the voices. I figured he was some immortal muppeteer whose characters would never die.
To be truthful I almost lost it when Amy and Jason's characters started to speak sing the first lines of the theme song. I adored "The Muppet Show" when I was young. It was one of my favorite shows. It would be on the CBC here in Canada...I think on Sunday evenings but I could be wrong about that. I am also a big fan of "A Muppet's Christmas Carol". It's probably the only Muppet related thing that my brother will watch with me since he detests them lol.
^ That'd be epic.
For those of you with On-Demand, the Cartoon Network show "Mad" (as in the humor magazine) did a great, affectionate send-up of "The Muppet Show" last week. Even my wife laughed at it and she hates "Mad." I love it, as do my kids (10 and 12), LOL!
We have everything Muppets on DVD and are really looking forward to this. Sounds like it's going to avoid some of the racy/off-color humor of the more recent outings like "Muppet Wizard of Oz." I'm all for a return to a more Hensonesque film.
We have everything Muppets on DVD and are really looking forward to this. Sounds like it's going to avoid some of the racy/off-color humor of the more recent outings like "Muppet Wizard of Oz." I'm all for a return to a more Hensonesque film.
Those who still have reservations should read this interview with Jason Segel. The article also has a synopsis of the film.
http://collider.com/jason-segel-interview-the-muppets/97339/
http://collider.com/jason-segel-interview-the-muppets/97339/
I love what he says about Barney the Dinosaur. 
It's reassuring that the film isn't being dumbed down to children and is trying to capture the spirit of the first three Muppet films. My anticipation level has raised but I'm still cautious (because of my previously stated concerns way back on page 1).
It's reassuring that the film isn't being dumbed down to children and is trying to capture the spirit of the first three Muppet films. My anticipation level has raised but I'm still cautious (because of my previously stated concerns way back on page 1).
Here's a good article about what to expect. It might be considered spoilerific considering it it contains many details about what happens in the movie:
http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/awards-campaign/posts/15-things-we-learned-on-the-set-of-the-muppets
Have to say, the more I hear about this, the more I'm excited. Sounds great!
http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/awards-campaign/posts/15-things-we-learned-on-the-set-of-the-muppets
Have to say, the more I hear about this, the more I'm excited. Sounds great!
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