Muppets from Space
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| Muppets from Space | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Tim Hill |
| Produced by | Martin G. Baker |
| Written by | Jerry Juhl Joey Mazzarino Ken Kaufman |
| Starring | Dave Goelz Bill Barretta Steve Whitmire Frank Oz Rob Schneider Ray Liotta Kathy Griffin |
| Music by | Jamshied Sharifi |
| Cinematography | Alan Caso |
| Editing by | Richard Pearson Michael A. Stevenson |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | July 14, 1999 |
| Running time | 87 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Muppets from Space was the sixth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first since the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson to have an original Muppet-focused plot. This film was directed by Tim Hill, produced by Jim Henson Pictures for Columbia Pictures, and originally released to movie theatres by 1999.
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[edit] Plot synopsis
Gonzo has always been classified as a "whatever," but after he begins to have disturbing dreams of abandonment, he begins to realize just how alone he is in the world. After an alien race appears to be trying to send him a message through bowls of cereal, Gonzo realizes that he may not be so alone after all and climbs to the rooftop to start watching the sky. His dreams are realized when he's hit by a bolt of lightning that serves as a conduit that allows him to communicate with a pair of cosmic fish, revealing to him that he is, in fact, an alien from outer space.
When Kermit and his friends refuse to believe his wild raving, however, Gonzo is lured into the clutches of K. Edgar Singer (Jeffrey Tambor), a government agent who has also taken note of the aliens' attempts at communication and believes that Gonzo is his key to convincing his superiors that aliens do in fact exist. Kermit and the gang spring into action to rescue Gonzo, with the help of some handy inventions courtesy of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.
A talking sandwich asks Gonzo where the alien ship can land, and Gonzo suggests Cape Doom. The Muppets go there after rescuing Gonzo and, along with a crowd of alien-happy spectators, await their arrival. The ship comes to Earth and the aliens, who all look like Gonzo, explain that many Zultans ago they lost him but welcome him back to the fold. K. Edgar Singer turns up and tries to kill the Aliens, but thanks to Bobo the bear who has disabled his weapon, he cannot and is laughed at. Gonzo considers going in to space with the Gonzo-like aliens, until he realizes his true home is on Earth with his surrogate family and friends, and K. Edgar Singer goes with the aliens as Earth's ambassador due to being so amusing.
[edit] Production
[edit] Writing
An earlier draft of the story was written by Kirk Thatcher, (an Associate Producer of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. He played the punk on the bus and wrote the song the punk listens to on a boombox). called "Muppets In Space." In the screenplay, aliens abducted Kermit because they believed him to be their leader, leading the other Muppets to attempt to save him. A set of Welch's Jelly Glasses were produced based around this theme.
[edit] Casting
The character of Scooter had stopped appearing following the death of puppeteer Richard Hunt, though Scooter appears briefly in the movie in a speaking cameo voiced by Hunt's brother, Adam Hunt.
This is the final major Muppet production in which the characters of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, and Animal are performed by their original puppeteer Frank Oz. Eric Jacobson would take over these roles starting with 2002's It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie.
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson have cameos in the film as their characters from the television series Dawson's Creek. Although neither character is identified by name, they refer to the absence of Dawson.
In one scene "Hollywood Hulk Hogan" makes an appearance and cuts a short nWo promo before putting Rizzo the Rat down a tube to the lab.
[edit] Music
This was the first Muppet film to not be a traditional musical film with original music, opting instead for a soundtrack comprised primarily of classic soul and funk tracks. Some tracks were remade by contemporary artists, such as "Shining Star" by the Dust Brothers, and "Dazz" by G. Love and Special Sauce. Parliament's "Flash Light" was updated by George Clinton as a duet with Pepe the King Prawn named "Starlight".
Earlier drafts of the film had more original music, including the song "Eye 2 the Sky", written and recorded by Ween, which was not included on the soundtrack. This song was intended to be sung by Gonzo. Dave Goelz had also recorded a new rendition of "I'm Going to Go Back There Some Day" for this film, a song which had originally appeared in The Muppet Movie. This song was also dropped, but was included on the Muppets from Space soundtrack, also sung by Gonzo.
[edit] In jokes
Among the many pop culture references, K. Edgar Singer makes a Star Trek reference in the film, complete with the appropriate musical cues from the original 1960's television series.
[edit] Reception
The film was considered a flop theatrically, making only $16,290,976 during its run. According to Brian Henson, the film was planned by the Henson company to be released in the off season, like other Muppet films, but Columbia wanted Muppets from Space to be their big summer movie, rushing production and causing there to be less advertising for the film. The film had also suffered coming out the same summer as Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and having to face fierce competition against South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Wild Wild West, Inspector Gadget and Runaway Bride. There has not been another theatrical Muppet film since, despite many films planned but never made[citation needed]. After nearly a decade, a new movie is in the works. Disney recently enlisted Jason Segel and Nick Stoller to create the next Muppet movie for the studio.
Since this movie was produced for Columbia Pictures, The Walt Disney Company did not obtain ownership of it when they bought the Muppets. Regardless, it has occasionally been shown on Toon Disney, despite the aforementioned ownership problems and the fact that it isn't animated.
[edit] Quotations
[edit] External links
Muppets from Space
- Muppets from Space at the Internet Movie Database
- Essay: Cosmic Isolation in the Triumphant "Muppets From Space"
