User Reviews

Following the smash 1979 hit The Muppet Movie, it was only a matter of time before the Jim Henson Company produced another theatrical Muppet adventure. Two years later, that finally came true with Jim Henson's feature length directorial debut, The Great Muppet Caper. Upon its release, while not met as warmly as The Muppet Movie, it still gained generally positive reception and did modestly well at the box office. It also happened to be released during the end of the beloved Muppet Show, so it's good that it came out during the end of an era for the muppet gang. As for the movie itself, it may not be great, but it sure is pleasant.

Set in London, England, the film follows the Muppet gang trying to uncover a recent jewel heist from the illustrious fashion designer, Lady Holliday. Now with a premise like that, it does highlight the film's weakest element, in that the plot is a bit too thin and predictable for its own good. Even from the start, it's not hard to figure out where certain plot points or story directions will dictate how the characters go about the plot. Also, compared to the first Muppet feature film, this one does lack a bit of the emotional appeal that made that movie such a remarkable classic, as the film plays up the comedy way too much. It doesn't help that the antagonists are hard to feel intimidated by due to the non stop gags that keep fluctuating the film's tone. As a result, the story is far too routine to feel surprised at, and if not for the factor of this being a Muppet feature, it would be left to the side as another standard spy movie, complete with the liar revealed trope and the romantic side arc. And to think these uneven story problems wouldn't have been so bad if not for those aforementioned tonal clashes.

However, despite all of those flaws, the Muppet gang themselves are what ultimately save the movie from being forgettable. As Miss Piggy gets a healthier amount of screen time than the first movie, her overly rambunctious personality makes the experience delightful from start to finish, complete with her charming chemistry alongside Kermit and the gang and her boastful performance by Frank Oz. Speaking of Oz, the muppeteers from Henson, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt and more really shine in their hamminess on screen, and one can tell they had a blast during the filming sessions. In addition to the muppeteers, the general actors like Diana Rigg as Lady Holiday and Charles Grodin as her villainous brother Nicky are also fun to watch as they know how to have fun in a movie all about the muppet gangs shenanigans. As is usual with the Muppets tradition of famous actor cameos, while not as high as the first movie, the likes of Jack Warden, John Cleese, Peter Ustinov and even Oscar the Grouch should be high selling points for the movie alone.

Compared to the first Muppet movie, this film has a higher budget and more lavish production members. Many of Joe Raposo's musical numbers from Hey a Movie! to Happiness Hotel and the Oscar nominated The First Time it Happens are elevated with a broader scope of settings and well timed choreography that is right up there with the likes of Gene Kelly and Bubsy Berkeley. Perhaps some of the songs do go on for a bit too long, especially the almost unneeded Night Life and ongoing Piggy's Fantasy. Nevertheless, these sequences really showcase Jim Henson's creative filmmaking that he would only grow stronger at with his own personal projects, from Dark Crystal to Labyrinth. In fact, the Couldn't We Ride sequence itself was a miraculous technical achievement with the entire Muppet gang on bicycles no less, so as long as it may feel, it's so charming to watch that you can't take your eyes off of it, especially when Brian Henson was working on that scene. Over-plotted the film may be, but overly stylish it is only to a fun degree.

So while not as narratively concise or engaging as their first theatrical endeavor, The Great Muppet Caper is still a highly enjoyable flick with the gang thanks to its timelessly charming characters, lavish production values, and upbeat musical numbers. Now that the endeavor is approaching its 40 year anniversary this summer, this would be the perfect time to give this flick a watch for your own amusement. It may not offer the same lightning in a bottle the first time, but hey, it's still nice to have the Muppet gang around whenever you're in need of a charming family movie starring everybody..and me.

The Muppet Movie was a big commercial hit; a likable kids film with a dash of grown-up humour to keep the adults entertained. This sequel sticks to a similar formula and is a perfectly acceptable comic vehicle. You've got the slapstick humour and cuteness/cuddliness of the Muppets to keep the kids happy. Meanwhile the grown-ups can enjoy the subtle asides and the amusing cameo appearances from the likes of Peter Ustinov, John Cleese, Peter Falk and Jack Warden.

A trio of unlikely and inept reporters – Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo – miss a scandalous jewel heist even though it happens practically right in front of them. Their boss (Jack Warden) threatens to fire them, giving the hapless threesome one last chance…. they must go to London and help the victim, rich fashion designer Lady Holliday (Diana Rigg), recover her stolen gems. Matters become complicated when Kermit mistakenly believes a ditsy secretary, Miss Piggy, to be the real Lady Holliday. Meanwhile, Lady Holliday lives in perpetual fear that her newest diamond necklace might be the next target for the cunning thief. Little does she realize the guilty one is, in fact, her own brother Nicky (Charles Grodin). Nicky cleverly frames Miss Piggy for the crimes and, while she is locked away and the police think the danger has past, he plans his final, most audacious heist – a priceless gemstone stored in the high security Mallory Gallery…..

The Great Muppet Caper is a convivial, attractive film with much to like. There are continual running jokes about English eccentricity and numerous touches of clever wordplay. The Muppets are amusingly voiced (as always) and most of the live actors seem to be enjoying themselves. Rigg is particularly good as the vulnerable but hard-nosed Lady Holliday. Grodin is the only one who seems a bit out of place, chewing the scenery rather too hammily from beneath excessive make-up. All the guest cameos are played very funnily. The film starts and ends particularly well, with lively set pieces full of good-natured hijinks, songs and manic mayhem. Unfortunately the middle of the film seems rather long-winded, with tedious scenes which don't really move the story forward. It doesn't entirely ruin the film but lowers the overall likability a notch or two.

Kermit the Bear, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo are reporters working in London, England who have to foil a group of nefarious jewelry thieves after said thieves frame Miss Piggy for stealing some priceless diamonds.

Director Jim Henson keeps the enjoyable story moving along at a brisk pace, maintains an amiable tongue-in-cheek tone throughout, and stages the uproarious slapstick antics with tremendously infectious go-for-it verve. Moreover, the lively song and dance numbers are a treat to watch, with the loopy parody of a Busby Berkley-style water ballet routine featuring Miss Piggy in her glamorous prime rating as a definite gut-busting highlight. Better still, this movie has plenty of clever and inspired breaking-the-fourth-wall meta moments that happily poke fun at the whole filmmaking process. This picture further benefits from sharp cameos by John Cleese, Robert Morley, Peter Ustinov (who gets beat up by Miss Piggy), and Jack Warden, plus ubiquitous British bit player Reg Thomason can be spotted several times as a restaurant patron (he's irritable the old guy with the young woman who Gonzo tries to take a photo of). Diana Rigg vamps it up deliciously as the haughty Lady Holiday while Charles Grodin contributes a spot-on smarmy performance as Holiday's no-count rotter brother Nicky. A total riot.