The Muppets have long been associated with holiday films and TV specials, but this colossal failure is best to be forgotten. It has the same old cast, but this time around that is exactly what they seem like...old. The Kermit/Miss Piggy saga has run its course, so it is rather sad to see it dredged up yet again. Gonzo has gotten so gloomy that I wish someone would write him a prescription for Prozac already. And Fozzie has become so retarded that it's almost cruel to laugh at his lame jokes.The human cast (plucked from prime time NBC) seems thoroughly embarrassed to be seen anywhere near this project. Jane Krakowski looks particularly humiliated, as if she were kicking herself for not thoroughly reading the fine print on her 30 Rock contract that stated in addition to starring in the best show on NBC, she must also appear in the worst.
The only bright spot is Uma Thurman, who throws herself completely into her role as a North Pole Airlines clerk. She is genuinely funny, which kind of makes me feel sad for her. I mean, did no one tell her that this was a dud? But I guess what else does she have to do? Those Lean Cuisines don't pay for themselves.
Paul Williams has written some of the best Muppet tunes of all time, but here his songs are entirely lackluster, as if he composed them while undergoing kidney dialysis. Gone are the lilting ditties, and in their place are bland and mournful hymns for the over eighty set.
The Muppet gang should have packed it in when Jim Henson passed away in 1990. They have made some decent (and some terrific) movies since then - It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie and The Muppet Christmas Carol to name two. But those few minor triumphs hardly make it worth the time and effort put into pathetic productions such as this one, which only serve to sully the memory of Kermit and company.
Till next time,
Bradley
I have actually never seen this one. But I will probably add it to the "Terrible Xmas Movies" pile and watch it just to keep my sarcastic humor in practice.
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