The Muppets at Walt Disney World
Dir: Peter Harris
1990
****
The Muppets at Walt Disney World starts really well. The Muppets go with Kermit to go see the Swamp where he grew up. There we meet his family and typical Muppet comedy commences. Then, they hear fireworks and bright lights and realise that most of Kermit's home has been demolished and Walt Disney World has been build there. The Muppets all want to go, leaving Kermit a little upset that they all show a lack of interest, support and respect in his roots. They pair off and have a wonderful time at Disney World and meet Mickey (who is sitting in his office counting his money - probably). That's the tragic of Disney. In 1990 Disney bought the Muppets and they've never been as good since. Sadly that is also the year the great Jim Henson died, leaving the Muppet's heart firmly in the past. I love the Muppets dearly and The Muppets at Walt Disney World is a lot of fun but it's one big advert for them, they're just so stupid that they didn't realise that the story actually highlights what is so awful about Walt Disney and what they do. I don't know who owns what regarding The Muppets but aside from two cinema releases, a few made for TV films, a host of TV misfires and lots of merchandise, nothing of quality and passion was done with them until 2011, a good 21 years after Jim Henson's death and Disney's take over. Sad truth for one of the worlds best loved family, they should and could have done so much more with them, they just lack the imagination they think they have and the conviction in the people they invested in in the first place. I'm a Muppet fan through and through and I'm quite passionate on the subject, long may the reign.