MUPPETS FROM SPACE (1999) **1/2
Starring: The Muppets, Jeffrey Tambor, F. Murray Abraham, Rob Schneider, Ray Liotta, David Arquette, Kathy Griffin, Andie MacDowell, and Hulk Hogan Director: Tim Hill 88 minutes Rated G
By Blake French:
The quality of "Muppets From Space" doesn't compare to the quality of muppet movies that I watched while growing up. Those films I still enjoy today. The series of children's stories that this sega is coming to is gradually lowering their standards. It used to be that every film was a different adventure into a different atmosphere. Those were full of creativity and imagination. What were they thinking when making "Muppets From Space?" Maybe the filmmakers are running out of ideas? Or perhaps they think that it is time to start looking into the Muppet family history? Whatever it was, this film is a disappointment in the highest.
The film, of course, contains all those lovable Muppets including Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Gonzo, Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen, Beaker, Sam the Eagle, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and many more. What little story there is centers on not an upcoming event or an imaginative adventure, but a single muppet; Gonzo. Where did he come from? Are there any more of his kind? What species is he? Why are there no others in his family history? What is his family history? Those are the questions he keeps asking himself throughout the film, ones that just don't hold the audience's interest.
The movie's plot ends up being about a rescue mission for the muppets who must save Gonzo from a top secret government facility where a madman named Edgar plans to suck out Gonzo's brains. The rescue scenes are some of the film's funniest. Most of the hilarious moments have to do with Miss Piggy and her toughness. One of them has a protective gadget that looks like a spray bottle with a mist inside that makes the victim do what ever the sprayer commands. A perfect Ray Liotta as a security guard is the first casualty, who turns from screaming at the muppets to leave the plant's property to a welcoming invitation who smiles and waves to the muppets as they enter the facility. Another has Andie MacDowell as a news reporter handing Miss Piggy her job and offering a cup of coffee, when before the spray Piggy was on the verge of being laid off.
There are surprisingly some very big names in this minor production. Among them is an evil looking Jeffrey Tambor, a joyfully cruel David Arquette, a hyper Rob Schneider, and finishing off the list are brief cameos by Hulk Hogan, F. Murray Abraham and Kathy Griffin.
The problem with the movie is the uncertainty between the funny moments and adventurous happenings. The filmmakers do not take advantage of having the muppets as the stars. There are no cute romantic comments between Kermit and Piggy. The traditional characteristics of the muppets are missing. I left the theater feeling cheated, not encouraged. And while I realize the film's target audience is between ages' 4-6, I get the sense that even they will be more pleased if their parents stick with older muppet movies for them to watch. Try "The Muppet Christmas Carol," or if I am a little off season, how about the much more appetizing "Muppet Treasure Island."
Starring: The Muppets, Jeffrey Tambor, F. Murray Abraham, Rob Schneider, Ray Liotta, David Arquette, Kathy Griffin, Andie MacDowell, and Hulk Hogan Director: Tim Hill 88 minutes Rated G
By Blake French:
The quality of "Muppets From Space" doesn't compare to the quality of muppet movies that I watched while growing up. Those films I still enjoy today. The series of children's stories that this sega is coming to is gradually lowering their standards. It used to be that every film was a different adventure into a different atmosphere. Those were full of creativity and imagination. What were they thinking when making "Muppets From Space?" Maybe the filmmakers are running out of ideas? Or perhaps they think that it is time to start looking into the Muppet family history? Whatever it was, this film is a disappointment in the highest.
The film, of course, contains all those lovable Muppets including Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Gonzo, Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen, Beaker, Sam the Eagle, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and many more. What little story there is centers on not an upcoming event or an imaginative adventure, but a single muppet; Gonzo. Where did he come from? Are there any more of his kind? What species is he? Why are there no others in his family history? What is his family history? Those are the questions he keeps asking himself throughout the film, ones that just don't hold the audience's interest.
The movie's plot ends up being about a rescue mission for the muppets who must save Gonzo from a top secret government facility where a madman named Edgar plans to suck out Gonzo's brains. The rescue scenes are some of the film's funniest. Most of the hilarious moments have to do with Miss Piggy and her toughness. One of them has a protective gadget that looks like a spray bottle with a mist inside that makes the victim do what ever the sprayer commands. A perfect Ray Liotta as a security guard is the first casualty, who turns from screaming at the muppets to leave the plant's property to a welcoming invitation who smiles and waves to the muppets as they enter the facility. Another has Andie MacDowell as a news reporter handing Miss Piggy her job and offering a cup of coffee, when before the spray Piggy was on the verge of being laid off.
There are surprisingly some very big names in this minor production. Among them is an evil looking Jeffrey Tambor, a joyfully cruel David Arquette, a hyper Rob Schneider, and finishing off the list are brief cameos by Hulk Hogan, F. Murray Abraham and Kathy Griffin.
The problem with the movie is the uncertainty between the funny moments and adventurous happenings. The filmmakers do not take advantage of having the muppets as the stars. There are no cute romantic comments between Kermit and Piggy. The traditional characteristics of the muppets are missing. I left the theater feeling cheated, not encouraged. And while I realize the film's target audience is between ages' 4-6, I get the sense that even they will be more pleased if their parents stick with older muppet movies for them to watch. Try "The Muppet Christmas Carol," or if I am a little off season, how about the much more appetizing "Muppet Treasure Island."