The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)

Thanks for the memories!

Memorable, crazy movie

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

He gave us the Muppet characters, from both "The Muppet Show" and "Sesame Street." He gave us such movies as "The Muppet Movie," "The Dark Crystal," "The Labyrinth," and more. He gave us such TV shows as "Muppet Babies," "Fraggle Rock," and more. He proved that puppets are capable of much more than we would have ever thought. Many of us know him by his name, Jim Henson. He got his start at a local TV station in Washington D.C. in 1955 and later became an icon and a phenomena. However, every icon's life has to come to an end. Jim Henson passed away in 1990.In this special, the Muppets gather together to celebrate Jim Henson's life, creativity, and legacy. They and special guests - Carol Burnett, John Denver, Ray Charles, Steven Spielberg, Harry Belafonte, and Frank Oz as himself - all talk about this man.It's hard to review this special; it's a tribute. I guess rather than reviewing it, I should just talk about it. It's a very inspiring and uplifting tribute. You will smile for 3 reasons: 1) The man who has redefined entertainment for a large part of you life is being honored, and you pray that he is in Heaven watching this, smiling. 2) It's the Muppets doing exactly what they've always done. They're funny, they're silly, they're goofy; but they also have a great touching, heartfelt moment. 3) They let us know that they will still move on. They will keep releasing productions and will continue the legacy Jim Henson began.I decided not to review every single Muppet TV special I've seen, but I'd be a fool not to talk about this special. It's one of those bitter sweet moments: you don't want to accept the fact that Jim Henson's gone, but you're at peace with the fact that he, his work, and his creations will always live on. We can take that and have peace at mind because of it. If you love Jim Henson and his work, you'll love this special. Take a look. BOOYIKA!

I think it's safe to say that this is perhaps the last great Muppet work of art that exists. In this television special the Muppets pay tribute to the Muppet Man and my life-long mentor and inspiration, Jim Henson. For anyone who remembers the old Muppets and for anyone who considers themselves a true Muppet fan, you can't miss this. Look for it to buy on E-bay.Jim Henson died in May of 1990, this aired in November of the same year. It must have truly been the hardest thing for his friends to do and I think that's what makes it work. The emotion is real.Some people thik it's good that there are people who can continue to produce Muppet Films, but if you've seen these new films you've no doubt felt the loss of a great presence. The Muppets have never been the same since. And never will. So enjoy them, for the last time, as they were in this special. I know I do.

When I learned about Jim Henson's death in 1990, it was while I was watching the Muppet Movie. I was only 6 years old at the time, and I didn't understand it. I just enjoyed this special looking back at all the Muppet fun over the past years, not really knowing that what they were trying to remember was the man who gave birth to the Muppets - perhaps the greatest dreamer and visionary of my lifetime. Now as an 18 year old, I have fallen in love with the Muppets all over again - and I dusted off my copy of this special and played it. At the end, where they read the letters from the fans about Jim's death, I never fail to cry. Even as I write this, I'm tearing up a bit from just remembering Scooter (whose voice, Richard Hunt, would pass only 2 years later), Fozzie, and Piggy reading letters, and only then learning that Jim Henson had passed away. Ray Charles performs a beautiful version of "Bein' Green", with the help of the monsters from Sesame Street - and they show clips of Jim working on Muppet projects. They talk to his best friend, Frank Oz. They talk to Steven Spielberg, John Denver, Carol Burnett, Harry Belafonte, and they all remember something great and unique that Jim contributed to this world. This is the most touching tribute to anyone that I have ever seen, and I think it's good to sit down, watch it, and remember the great times that Jim gave us.

This special, filmed and aired the same year of muppet creator Jim Henson's passing, was both sad and uplifting. It was sad watching the characters, and obviously the muppeteers behind them, mourning the loss of Jim. On the other hand, it was nice to know that the muppets would live on. Many people didn't know that Kermit the Frog would continue after Henson, and it isn't until the end that he shows up. Another reassuring sign that the spirit of the Muppets will live on, even if some of them sound a little different.