Retro review: Muppets from Space (1999)

The most satisfying ending I’ve ever seen.

I came into this movie in the midst of a muppets obsession phase. I’m watching all the old The Muppet Show episodes from the beginning and I love love love. So I was very much predisposed to enjoy Muppets From Space. So I did:-)

Muppets from Space jumps right into the point of the movie, with Gonzo having a Noah’s ark- themed dream, where he can’t join the rest of the species entering 2 by 2 because..there’s only one of him. Premise efficiently established. Then through the movie we get the very amusing storyline of Gonzo getting messages from aliens saying they’re his family, and none of the other muppets see the evidence of these message, so of course Gonzo looks more and more insane.

Aside from the main storyline, we get great scenes of the muppets ensemble. In this movie they all live in the same house and there is a very pleasing intro scene of them all getting ready in the morning – in the bathroom, at the breakfast table, etc. And a surprising treat is the soundtrack, which had this particiular scene happening to the song, Brickhouse. Very fun vibe. Also a must-mention is the funniness of Rentro the bear being an unwitting villain sidekick. The exchange between him and Jeffrey Tambor the villain immediately has entered my quote repository: Jeffrey to Rentro, “get me the remote”; Rentro, “the goat??”; Jeffrey, “the reemote!”. So wonderfully silly.

Anyway! The big climax of the film is leading up to time and place where the aliens have said they will meet Gonzo. A big crowd and the media, fronted by Miss Piggy, has showed up for the occasion. And all I’ll say is, the big moment did not disappoint. Yes I did laugh, yes I did cry. Anytime I need a guarantee feel-good moment, I will return to this scene.