Muppet Classic Theater (1994)

Undescribable Perfection

Overrated and overhyped

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

I remember my family and I being greatly entertained by this straight-to-video release. The great thing about this video is that it's just as entertaining now that I'm an adult as it was when I saw it as a kid. As a matter of fact, I love it even more now that I'm an adult because I understand why some of these jokes are funny, and I get that they changed the ending to all of the stories.Gonzo and Rizzo host a theatrical performance of the Muppets' version of classic fairy tales: The Three Little Pigs, King Midas, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Rumpelstiltkin, The Emperor's New Clothes, and The Elves and the Shoemaker.I have to say, this video feature is very, very funny! I love it! The spin and twist each story has is very unique and very funny! As a kid, I only knew certain stories. I didn't know stories like King Midas, so for a while I thought this version was accurate to the actual tale.The reason this video works is because it's entertaining for both children and adults. It's innocent enough that children can love it, and entertaining enough that it draws in adults as well. When I was a kid, my entire family and I watched this, and we were all laughing along with the video. Even today when we mention a scene or a joke from this video, my Dad laughs and says, "I remember that." He'll even watch the video with us when we put it in the VCR! The puppetry isn't too impressive; it's just your simply, basic puppet-operated Muppets. But that's OK. It focuses more on bringing these stories we all know and love to life, but in a new and unique way. On top of that, it's a good stand alone production. Of course we're attracted to it because it's the Muppets, but even excluding that from the picture, this is still a really good, really fun, really delightful film. Watch it, and expect a lot of laughs! BOOYIKA!

This is my favorite Muppet collection of stories. The wolf is a riot in both the Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Three Little Pigs. "Pigs in a blanket? Why, yes, I believe I will!" Hilarious. Miss Piggy is at her best especially in The Midas Touch...and the songs are right on target. My daughter and I still sing them when the situation fits: gotta get that name! And when I hear someone gargle, I have to say "How charming...NEXT!" You have to watch it to understand. Ha..ha...I highly recommend this for those who need to take life a lot less seriously. The only thing I think was a little overboard was Gonzo acting a little weird about his scenes (of course, he IS an alien, after all) but Rizzo the Rat is great and what can I say about The Shoemaker and the Elvises? The costumes, set design, "expressions" on the muppets are all fabulous. Now, if they would just put it on DVD!

Though most people consider The Muppets for kids, when I discovered this gem at the ripe age of 21 while working at summer camp I just couldn't get enough. Though all the stories are familiar, the usual Muppet hilarity and musicality shine through each and every segment. All of your favorites are showcased with Kermit, Piggy, Gonzo and Fozzie carrying you through some of the best fairy tales of all time. Considering that this great Muppet extravaganza is out of print, if you ever see it laying about, pick it up! It will be a well used 90 minutes of time. If anything, when the tape is over you will want to immediately rewind it and watch it all over again!

The Muppets are still the Muppets. I agree that since Jim Henson died, it seems to take a lot more effort to put together something worthy of their original off the wall charm, but it can and has be done in Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppets Tonight!. Muppet Classic Theater shows us that the focus has shifted to Gonzo and Rizzo since Dave Goelz and Steve Whitmire are among the few Muppeteers still dedicated exclusively to Muppet projects. Granted, these stories are rushed and simplistic and the songs are mediocre, but the work Goelz and Whitmire put in reminds us that these are still the characters we love. It's much like seeing your favorite actors in a bad movie. The story isn't so hot, but you can tell they've still got it and will go onto do better things.