Starring:Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Golez, Charles Grodin, Diana Rigg
Newspaper reporters Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo investigate the theft of a valuable necklace from Fashion Designer Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg). Their search takes them to London, where they soon team up with all the usual Muppet suspects.
One of the things I like about this movie is that it gives a lot of screen time to Fozzie Bear. I may be courting controversy here, but I think Henson had a tendency to focus far too much on Miss Piggy – who’s really rather a dull character when compared to the rest. Who wants to watch yet another rehash of the Kermit/Piggy romance when there are rubber chickens and “wocka wocka wocka’s!” to be had?
Unfortunately however there’s still far too much of Miss Piggy in the movie. Especially in the middle of the film when the action slows to a crawl. But at least the other characters get a little bit of room to shine whenever the pig isn’t around.
Miss Piggy doesn’t entertain me either, but then that trio of Kermit, Fozzy and Gonzo feels a bit tired (obviously at the time it wasn’t).
Heresy!
Fozzy was better in Muppets From Space.
As the Muppet films progressed it feels like Fozzie became less and less prominent in the lineup. He was criminally underused in Christmas Carol for example. I’m not sure I remember him much in Muppets From Space if I’m honest.
He was one of the commandos breaking into the lab and he was quite funny… for some reason I seem to recall he talked to someone living inside his finger..? I could be wrong.
No, you’re right. I remember now. He was very good in that movie, but then again that’s one of the best Muppet movies anyway, second only to the original.
I think he was good in Treasure Island too, but then there were Ghostbusters and Star Trek references in that film and that delightful Cabin Fever song.
Could I also highlight that at one point Fozzie picks up and plays a ukulele. Now that’s pure class.
Wow, I’m really shocked. I can’t believe I’m about to say this but I really didn’t care for this film. I feel really weird about saying this about a Muppets film as I love all the rest but this one I just wanted to turn off the entire time.
I hadn’t seen the Great Muppet Caper either, it was the one Muppets film that for some reason I had avoided, well maybe not avoided but I certainly never went out of my way to see it until now.
I mean it was nice to see some of the secondary characters but nostalgia will only take you a certain distance and there wasn’t enough for me.
See I think personally I really hated how this film kept breaking the fourth wall and referring to themselves making a movie, something they don’t do so often in the later films. The joke quickly became stale to me.
Really? Because that’s actually another one of the things I liked. I love a bit of fourth wall breaking. Especially as there is a fifth wall that they don’t break (that they are puppets).
Arrrrrg I like a little too but it was like every second minute!?!? Even the opening credits seemed forced. I think I had to go take my diabetic medication because that balloon scene was so sickly sweet and I don’t know… inbred? Can I say that it felt like Deliverence?
It’s not inbred, it’s post-modernism (at least that’s what my cousin told me)
LOL I mean Kermit played the banjo in the first one didn’t he?? It felt like this backwards country aren’t we quaint feeling, I can’t think of the right words. Bleeerg comes to mind.
You’re a hard man Mr Sargent
Did I like anything in this film?
Yes.
John Cleese and the lady playing his wife steal the whole movie. The whole movie. I expect personally that they are representing exactly what the English are like.
In fact I would be disappointed to discover the statement that there appears to be a pig climbing the wall would be met with any more than a slight eyebrow raise and a return to the discussion of the weather.
Well yes, that’s true. We are all like that. Although I’m surprised you noticed that eyebrow raise, what with all the corks hanging off your hat getting in your eyes.
Ouch. At least I don’t have Columbo wandering around my city parks trying to sell watches. That’s creepy. I was worried for a second that we would see Kermit’s face on a milk carton. Actually I wasn’t worried, at that stage nothing had happened apart from me wishing I was watching a different Charles Grodin film… Beethoven maybe?
Blimey, that’s harsh!
Isn’t it interesting though how quickly cameo appearances go out of date. Other than Cleese, Falk, and that guy from Crazy Like a Fox I had absolutely no idea who half of the guest stars were in this movie.
Yeah me too, was that Jim Henson at the club?
The chap with the impressive beard? Yeah that was him. I dream of a beard like that.
It was a very impressive beard!
Oh I did enjoy the ‘bears wear hats’ joke about Kermit and Fozzy being twins. There was little else to enjoy of course
What about that bit when Fozzie tries to pat his head and rub his stomach at the same time? And the whole Museum theft scene which was wonderfully silly. Those both had me in stitches.
I must admit though, despite my massive Muppet bias, I do think there are major flaws. There are far too many boring musical numbers, which seem to be all about Henson pushing the craft of puppetry as far as he can rather than the craft of entertainment. I’m thinking specifically about the bicycle scenes and the synchronised swimming number.
And as I say, there’s far too much Miss Piggy.
there were a few scenes where I don’t think it helped the storyline but they were trying to be super impressive with the puppetry effects which don’t get me wrong, were really bloody awesome just not serving the storyline.
Yes, and they really slowed things down. The pace of muppet films should be madcap, not crawling.
Confession time, I stopped watching with about half an hour to go. I couldn’t do it. I just wouldn’t stay up late watching this movie. I’m going to bed.
Right, that’s it! I’m looking for another Midnight Movie partner. You obviously haven’t got the stamina for it. You do realise we have Police Acadamy 5 on our list? If you can’t take The Great Muppet Caper, then what chance do you think you have with that monstrosity.
I think in all honesty that I have more of a chance sitting through that. I mean fair’s fair I dipped out during Miss Piggy’s water dance number.
I must admit I wandered out of the room for a little while at that point myself.
But by missing the last half hour you missed the film picking back up again. As I said previously, the movie is mainly worth watching for the beginning and the end. The final museum robbery scene is delightfuly anarchic.
I will go back and watch the end, I will if only to be a completist but I won’t promise to like it.
So final thoughts? The Great Muppet Caper is far from Henson’s best work, and the middle section drags horrendously. But for me it still maintains that innocence and, admittedly saccharine, tenderness that has been homogenised out of the franchise since Disney took it over.
I will leave my final thoughts tomorrow after watching the final half hour. I do warn you though if it doesn’t pick up I will savage your childhood favourite like those dogs savaged that woman last week in Moonraker!!
I give the Great Muppet Caper 7 out of a possible 10 cans of Diet Coke. Admittedly if it hadn’t been a Muppet film I’d have probably given it a 5 due to its inconsistency.
Ok I watched the last half an hour and was entertained, if you remove the whole middle of the film and several other indulgent sections then you’ve got a really great short Muppet film.
I thought it interesting that they tied the start of the film with them being in the air for some unknown reason and the end where they have a reason. Interesting, I didn’t say that I liked it.
Ok so my double shot soy flat white rating is a three out of a possible ten cups.
I just wouldn’t stay up and watch this film, I’d easily fall asleep to it.
@Rol, He was in it, but a relatively minor role. He played a chef if I remember rightly. That guy really needs to watch out or he’ll end up getting typecast.
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 3:53 pm
@Rol, the Swedish Chef is easily one of my favourite Muppets but it seems really hard to get him into the movies, in fact in Treasure Island they even reference this fact by looking at the camera and saying ‘how else were we going to get him in the film’.
I was tempted to reply in Swedish Chef speak too (there’s a translator online)
@Dan, lets go with the first option eh, it is nearly Christmas after all.
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 3:54 pm
@Heather, LOL then you’ve never danced around the living room to cabin fever in Muppet Treasure Island… oh yeah… I mean I haven’t of course either but I’ve read about it…
Totally agree with you on the Miss Piggy thing. She’s not that talented, I honestly don’t know how she ever got this far. Do you think she had something on Mr Henson?
Now Beaker on the other hand . . .
I think Miss Piggy “jumped the shark” when her arrogance started outstripping her vulnerability. Although that could be reading just a little too much into what is basically a bit of foam with a hand in it
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 3:58 pm
@Tara, it really creeps me out whenever someone hints even slightly at Miss Piggy in a sexual context. I don’t get it. I really hate it when she tries to make out with Kermit…
I have to agree. Miss Piggy is highly overrated. From the TV show through all the movies, whenever she is the focus I tend to lose interest.
Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve even seen this Muppet Caper film. Hmmm… Will have to watch it with the kids. They’re still kind of lukewarm on The Muppets, although we all think Muppet Christmas Carol is a classic (but only because of Michael Caine and Beaker).
Dan
December 17, 2009 at 12:54 am
@Idaho Dad, the first Muppet movie is amongst the finest films of all time. My advice is to force your kids to watch that film on constant repeat until they acknowledge the genius that is Henson.
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 3:59 pm
@Idaho Dad, I’ve already mentioned Treasure Island over and over, I’m quite the fan of that one and even of Muppets From Space although it’s really Pepe the Prawn that saves that one for me.
Hmm… when I saw this in my youth, it was my favorite Muppet film, bar none. I even liked it more than the original. I still remember a couple of scenes, most notably the museum bit at the end. I haven’t seen it since then, though. It’s a bit disappointing to hear it ripped like this, but then if I watched it now I get the impression I’d be saying the same things. Piggy is criminally overused in most Muppet outings, for example.
And just to be clear, I have since switched my opinion of the first Muppet Movie, as it undoubtedly is one of the top movies ever. I like your forced repetition idea, Dan.
Dan
December 17, 2009 at 2:53 am
@Jeff, I had very fond memories of the film too, and was a little disappointed that it didn’t live up to them.
The museum scene is still great, and so are a number of other scenes, but the pacing is way off and there is far far far too much Piggy.
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 4:18 pm
@Jeff, at one stage, specifically when I compared it to Deliverance I wondered if I hadn’t gone a little far in my dislike for the film. But in reality the film just doesn’t hold up in my opinion, I have no idea what direction that Charles Grodin was given.
I still maintain though that I’m a huge Muppets fan still, this just didn’t work for me.
I remember my Dad nearly choking himself laughing at The Muppets on a Sunday night, especially the old guys in the balcony. I never got it. I think I was both not young enough and not old enough. I did enjoy Muppet Treasure Island though, but I suspect that has more to do with my Frank’n'Furter fantasies than anything else… mmmmmm Curry…
Dan
December 17, 2009 at 6:44 am
@MrsW, I find the TV shows a little hit and miss at times, although loved them as a kid. But he movies are on the whole fantastic, especially the first one – which as I say is amongst the finest ever made.
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 4:20 pm
@MrsW, Muppet Treasure Island is most probably my favourite Muppets film (I guess considering I’ve only mentioned it several thousand times now). It has nothing to do with my Frank’n'Furter fantasies which I try and keep separate from my movie reviews.
I think Jim’s beard was completing with his date’s hair.
Lee
December 17, 2009 at 4:22 pm
@always home and uncool, when Henson’s beard is in the house there is no competition my friend.
ESSGEETHREE
December 17, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Not a favourite of mine at all; I remember being excited about the trailer, then going to the film and being very disappointed. All the “stars” I didn’t recognize didn’t help, nor did the over-abundance of Miss Piggy! And it has not aged well!
I feel somewhat traitorous (sorry, Jim Henson!) when I confess that my favourite Muppet movie is a toss-up between Muppet Treasure Island (where, may I point out (OK- NIT PICK, Fozzie Bear aka young Squire Trelawney talked to Mr Bimble, the man who lives in the squire’s finger, NOT in Muppets From Space!) and The Muppet Christmas Carol. I think the latter – but that may have something to do with the time of year. Both use their small human cast well, and have, what I can only describe as an abundance of Muppet Heart.
@ESSGEETHREE, I perhaps have to confess that I’ve never actually seen Treasure Island all the way through. I just got bored. I’m thinking I may have to give it another shot in light of everyone’s positive comments about it though.
@Dan, at this point, I should admit that Treasure Island is not one of my favorites (though it does have some good scenes). It’s not that it’s bad, it just doesn’t do it for me the way Christmas Carol and Muppet Movie do.
My wife does quote it from time to time, though, so it’s got that goin’ for it. Which is nice.
I haven’t seen it in a while, but I loved it the last few times I’ve seen it. I’m not a fan of Fozzie, though. I prefer Kermit, Gonzo, Beeker, Sweetums, and the Swedish Chef.
Dan
December 19, 2009 at 5:04 am
@Avitable, I can see why someone doesn’t like Fozzie if they only know him from the later films, as he wasn’t used properly in my oppinion. But his sweet vulnerability in the early muppet stuff is wonderful.
Arjan
December 22, 2009 at 9:38 pm
@ Lee it sounds like those short movies MC was blogging about are something made for you
It’s been ages since I saw any muppets movie.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tara Cain, leesargent. leesargent said: The Great Muppet Caper is now up on the Midnight Movie Club: http://midmoclub.com/the-great-muppet-caper/ [...]
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What – no Swedish Chef?
@Rol, He was in it, but a relatively minor role. He played a chef if I remember rightly. That guy really needs to watch out or he’ll end up getting typecast.
@Rol, the Swedish Chef is easily one of my favourite Muppets but it seems really hard to get him into the movies, in fact in Treasure Island they even reference this fact by looking at the camera and saying ‘how else were we going to get him in the film’.
I was tempted to reply in Swedish Chef speak too (there’s a translator online)
I think this is the most entertainment i’ve ever gotten out of a muppet film.
@Heather, I’m not sure if that says good things about us, or incredibly bad things about the muppets.
@Dan, lets go with the first option eh, it is nearly Christmas after all.
@Heather, LOL then you’ve never danced around the living room to cabin fever in Muppet Treasure Island… oh yeah… I mean I haven’t of course either but I’ve read about it…
Totally agree with you on the Miss Piggy thing. She’s not that talented, I honestly don’t know how she ever got this far. Do you think she had something on Mr Henson?
Now Beaker on the other hand . . .
@Tara, meep?
I think Miss Piggy “jumped the shark” when her arrogance started outstripping her vulnerability. Although that could be reading just a little too much into what is basically a bit of foam with a hand in it
@Tara, it really creeps me out whenever someone hints even slightly at Miss Piggy in a sexual context. I don’t get it. I really hate it when she tries to make out with Kermit…
Maybe I AM thinking about this too much.
I have to agree. Miss Piggy is highly overrated. From the TV show through all the movies, whenever she is the focus I tend to lose interest.
Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve even seen this Muppet Caper film. Hmmm… Will have to watch it with the kids. They’re still kind of lukewarm on The Muppets, although we all think Muppet Christmas Carol is a classic (but only because of Michael Caine and Beaker).
@Idaho Dad, the first Muppet movie is amongst the finest films of all time. My advice is to force your kids to watch that film on constant repeat until they acknowledge the genius that is Henson.
@Idaho Dad, I’ve already mentioned Treasure Island over and over, I’m quite the fan of that one and even of Muppets From Space although it’s really Pepe the Prawn that saves that one for me.
Hmm… when I saw this in my youth, it was my favorite Muppet film, bar none. I even liked it more than the original. I still remember a couple of scenes, most notably the museum bit at the end. I haven’t seen it since then, though. It’s a bit disappointing to hear it ripped like this, but then if I watched it now I get the impression I’d be saying the same things. Piggy is criminally overused in most Muppet outings, for example.
And just to be clear, I have since switched my opinion of the first Muppet Movie, as it undoubtedly is one of the top movies ever. I like your forced repetition idea, Dan.
@Jeff, I had very fond memories of the film too, and was a little disappointed that it didn’t live up to them.
The museum scene is still great, and so are a number of other scenes, but the pacing is way off and there is far far far too much Piggy.
@Jeff, at one stage, specifically when I compared it to Deliverance I wondered if I hadn’t gone a little far in my dislike for the film. But in reality the film just doesn’t hold up in my opinion, I have no idea what direction that Charles Grodin was given.
I still maintain though that I’m a huge Muppets fan still, this just didn’t work for me.
I remember my Dad nearly choking himself laughing at The Muppets on a Sunday night, especially the old guys in the balcony. I never got it. I think I was both not young enough and not old enough. I did enjoy Muppet Treasure Island though, but I suspect that has more to do with my Frank’n'Furter fantasies than anything else… mmmmmm Curry…
@MrsW, I find the TV shows a little hit and miss at times, although loved them as a kid. But he movies are on the whole fantastic, especially the first one – which as I say is amongst the finest ever made.
@MrsW, Muppet Treasure Island is most probably my favourite Muppets film (I guess considering I’ve only mentioned it several thousand times now). It has nothing to do with my Frank’n'Furter fantasies which I try and keep separate from my movie reviews.
Jim Henson’s beard is legendary my friend. Legendary.
@Kevin Spencer, There are rumors that it was actually a puppet, but I refuse to believe it.
@Kevin Spencer, I have beard envy.
@Lee, you and me both mate.
I think Jim’s beard was completing with his date’s hair.
@always home and uncool, when Henson’s beard is in the house there is no competition my friend.
Not a favourite of mine at all; I remember being excited about the trailer, then going to the film and being very disappointed. All the “stars” I didn’t recognize didn’t help, nor did the over-abundance of Miss Piggy! And it has not aged well!
I feel somewhat traitorous (sorry, Jim Henson!) when I confess that my favourite Muppet movie is a toss-up between Muppet Treasure Island (where, may I point out (OK- NIT PICK, Fozzie Bear aka young Squire Trelawney talked to Mr Bimble, the man who lives in the squire’s finger, NOT in Muppets From Space!) and The Muppet Christmas Carol. I think the latter – but that may have something to do with the time of year. Both use their small human cast well, and have, what I can only describe as an abundance of Muppet Heart.
OK. Shutting up now.
@ESSGEETHREE, I perhaps have to confess that I’ve never actually seen Treasure Island all the way through. I just got bored. I’m thinking I may have to give it another shot in light of everyone’s positive comments about it though.
@Dan, at this point, I should admit that Treasure Island is not one of my favorites (though it does have some good scenes). It’s not that it’s bad, it just doesn’t do it for me the way Christmas Carol and Muppet Movie do.
My wife does quote it from time to time, though, so it’s got that goin’ for it. Which is nice.
I haven’t seen it in a while, but I loved it the last few times I’ve seen it. I’m not a fan of Fozzie, though. I prefer Kermit, Gonzo, Beeker, Sweetums, and the Swedish Chef.
@Avitable, I can see why someone doesn’t like Fozzie if they only know him from the later films, as he wasn’t used properly in my oppinion. But his sweet vulnerability in the early muppet stuff is wonderful.
@ Lee it sounds like those short movies MC was blogging about are something made for you
It’s been ages since I saw any muppets movie.