Magic
I was blown away by this movie.
Excepting only MuppetFest, A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Special was the first truly magical Muppet production I've seen since Jim was with us. Muppets From Space had a few magical *moments*, like the opening scene, anything Pepe, the laboratory-rat-testing stuff. But AVMMCS was magical *overall*, as a whole.
For the first time since Jim was with us, the Muppets were not *struggling* to entertain us. For the first time in TWELVE years, the Muppets just relaxed, let go of their I-can't-believe-Jim-and-Frank-are-no-longer-with-us-so-we-have-to-recreate-all-their-amazing-characters-from-scratch-or-the-Muppets-will-die tension and worries, and were themselves. They let go of their stress, and Muppet magic was able to flow again. What a beautiful thing.
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The thing that affected me most about this movie is how Kermit crossed the point of no return, as far as character development. He's added a whole new dimension to his personality! (Steve's) Kermit is a major step closer to being (is?) a fully fleshed character again! Not to put down one moment of how he's been since Steve's joined him--I've loved him every step of the way, and gave him whatever space he needed to come into his own. Watching Kermit get angry (and then loopy) was a wonderful thing for me...he's come into his own!
(For the first time, Kermit seems "loose". As I said, *all* the Muppets seem "loose". Finally. :' )
Specifically the "I wish I was never born" moment ("Come close...I WISH I WAS NEVER BORN!" :'). Watching Kermit go nuts was a high point for me, not just in this movie, but for his entire (Steve) history.
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The second-biggest thing for me was when Kermit, in a MAGICAL MAJOR MUPPET PRODUCTION, on NATIONAL TELIVISION, mentioned muppetcentral.com!!! Holy crapamolee! Kermit *spoke* to us, people! On national television! This was nothing less than a direct line of supportive communication from The Jim Henson Company to muppetcentral.com. That should be thrilling for everyone from Phil and Cindy, down to the quiter members like me. Sherrie and my eyes opened wide at this moment, looking at each other and feeling like Kermit--my idol--was speaking to *us*. Wow!
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My jaw dropped watching Fozzie, for the first time *alive* in, what?, ten years (the running-through-the-security-lasers-three-times gag BWAAAAAAAAAHaaaaahahaha). Piggy, too. It's amazing how their new Muppeteer(s?) has gotten these characters *down*. Congratulations to you!
And what *was* the dangling thing in Janice's mouth? Odd. :' )
The kids-and-Kermit statue was sweet and sappy and I loved it.
David Arquette was great. I just wish he had the big clumsy glasses on the entire movie. Seriously.
Watching The Swedish Chef and Beaker, the two incoherent characters, *arguing* during the sacrifice-your-salary-for-a-year scene, was priceless.
Speaking of priceless! I saw the both Mastercard commercials for the first time during this. Finally! (We have a vcr, but no reception)
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PS: What is KSY? OHHHH! Kermit Swamp Years. :' )
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I need to watch It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Special again. It's been too long since I started writing this post.