MovieChat Forums > The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) Discussion > 7/10. Here's why:

7/10. Here's why:

posted 9 years ago by IMDB_Vits
2 replies | jump to latest

THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN seems to have the plot structure backwards. KERMIT THE FROG gets amnesia 15 minutes before the movie ends, and it feels like a last-minute addition. It could've been the central conflict. Have you seen movies where a character shouts "I don't have all the answers! Stop asking me!" to his friends, which causes them to separate? It usually doesn't happen until the last part, right? Well, it's for a reason: There's build up to it. Here, it happens almost at the beginning, where the audience still hasn't seen if it's true. Therefore, it doesn't feel authentic. It's still better than most of the other installments, though. The comedy is funnier, the story more engaging and TOGETHER AGAIN is among the franchise's best songs. More importantly, the human characters are more interesting. It's more appealing (to me, at least) to see the puppets interacting with humans than interacting with each other.

You can read comments of other movies (including the rest of this franchise) at http://vits-ingthemovies.blogspot.cl/2015/11/comments-round-up-october-2015.html

Any thoughts?

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 9 years ago

The way I see it, the central conflict of Muppets Take Manhattan is the struggle against the cruel realities of trying to make it in show biz. The Muppets are right out of college, get a rude awakening, and learn quickly they need to get practical, though that doesn't mean they're giving up on their dreams. It's not a concrete plot structure, it's more meandering, but as you say it does provide plenty of opportunities for endearing character interactions.

As for the amnesia thing, sure, it does feel like at the last minute they realized they needed a more concrete obstacle. But it is a first and foremost a comedy, and the amnesia plot does provide fodder for making fun of business types, advertising, and Kermit acting all out of character.

Thanks for sharing, I look forward to reading more!

"Acting -- the best special effect there is." (Stuart Gordon on Re-animator commentary)

[–] IMDB_Vits 9 years ago

the amnesia plot does provide fodder for making fun of business types, advertising, and Kermit acting all out of character.

Agreed.

Thanks for sharing, I look forward to reading more!

No, thank you!