The Muppets Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Muppets" is a visual delight, delivering an impeccable 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that leaves no room for disappointment. From the outset, viewers are treated to stunning detail, capturing every texture, thread, and tuft of felt with pixel-perfect precision. The edge definition is sharp without introducing any unwanted artifacts or ringing, ensuring that even the subtlest nuances of the Muppet Theater's backstage are crisply defined. Colors are vibrant and well-saturated: Kermit greens, Piggy pinks, Fozzie browns, and Animal reds blend seamlessly without any signs of artifacting, banding, or noise. Human skin tones also appear natural and lifelike, complemented by rich black levels and spot-on contrast throughout.

Disney's meticulous attention to detail is evident in every frame. The myriad textures of the Muppets—from Walter’s felt to the wispy hairs on Animal’s head—pop vividly, creating an almost tactile viewing experience. Human characters are rendered with equally remarkable sharpness, further enhancing the overall visual quality. The video presentation also features intentional stylistic choices, such as brief white flecks during the opening sequence that evoke an aged film look, effectively showcasing the early years of Gary's and Walter's lives. Once these scenes pass, the transfer returns to pristine clarity, maintaining a high standard for the remainder of the film.

This 1080p (1.78:1) Blu-ray transfer stands as a testament to Disney's high standards in video quality. Brimming with vibrant colors and unmatched sharpness, it transforms every scene into a vivid spectacle. The consistent, natural flesh tones and profound black levels contribute to an exceptional viewing experience free from visible flaws. "The Muppets" looks even better on Blu-ray than it did in theaters, ensuring fans will be more than satisfied.

Disney's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track for "The Muppets" is an auditory masterpiece that virtually resurrects the exuberant essence of the film. This mix provides crystal-clear dialogue, ensuring every line, murmur, and Muppet vocalization is perfectly audible. The orchestral score and Oscar-winning songs by Bret McKenzie shimmer with impeccable clarity. The dynamics of the track are truly impressive, capturing every emotional nuance as Kermit rallies his friends or engages in heartfelt moments. The LFE output energetically bolsters every action, from car rides and pratfalls to musical numbers and stage accidents, adding palpable depth and excitement.

The 7.1 mix employs the extra two side channels with masterful precision, enhancing immersion. The surround field is alive with directional effects and ambient sounds as Muppets chatter and dash around, creating a fully enveloping audio experience. The rear speakers contribute continuously, firing up the soundscape with meticulous, directional effects, making the viewer feel part of the onscreen chaos. Cross-channel pans are smooth, effortlessly blending sounds from every direction to sustain an encompassing listening environment. This mix represents the epitome of the audio presentation for a Muppet movie, crafting a completely engaging and delightful experience.

Overall, Disney's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track for "The Muppets" sets an exemplary standard for audio quality. It balances dialogue clarity, dynamic musical elements, and robust LFE output while utilizing its multi-channel setup to create a wholly immersive soundstage. Every aspect of this mix is meticulously crafted to ensure nothing less than a flawless auditory experience. This track stands as a testament to top-tier audio engineering tailored to enhance the joyful chaos that defines the Muppets.

"The Muppets" Blu-ray includes a suite of special features that blend insight and humor. Chief among them, the Filmmakers Audio Commentary with Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller, and James Bobin offers mixed value; while occasionally enlightening about filmmaking techniques and Muppet history, the commentary is marred by frequent tangents. However, devoted fans will find nuggets of gold amidst the banter. The extras provide a variety of content, from mock-documentaries to musical numbers, but some lack depth in terms of production insight. High-definition quality ensures that each piece is presented beautifully, enhancing the viewer's experience. The inclusion of a digital download for the full-length original soundtrack and innovative Disney Intermission adds value, featuring comedic clips triggered by pausing the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmakers Audio Commentary: Behind-the-scenes with Segel, Stoller, and Bobin.
• Scratching the Surface: Humorous look at the Muppets' making-of process.
• Deleted Scenes: Eight scenes cut for pacing issues.
• Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song: Complete version of Richman's song.
• The Longest Blooper Reel Ever...: Entertaining Muppet bloopers.
• A Little Screen Test on the Way to the Read-Through: Journey to script read-through.
• Theatrical Spoof Trailers: Collection of all spoof trailers.
• Full-Length Original Soundtrack: Download code for the film's soundtrack.
• Disney Intermission: Fun clips when you hit pause.

Resurrecting Jim Henson's Muppets was no small feat, but Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller, and James Bobin managed to pull it off with finesse. Following a twelve-year absence from the big screen, "The Muppets" breezed into theaters and captured the hearts of both long-time fans and newcomers. Walter, the latest Muppet addition (voiced by Peter Linz), brings a fresh yet familiar charm reminiscent of Henson’s original creations, confirming the filmmakers' keen understanding of the franchise’s essence. The narrative follows Walter and his human brother Gary (played by Segel) on a journey to save Muppet Studios from a greedy oil baron, a classic Muppet-esque storyline brimming with humor and heartfelt moments.

The film revives beloved characters and introduces new favorites like Walter while masterfully balancing nostalgic reverence with forward-looking optimism. Segel and Stoller’s script expertly mingles timeless jokes with cultural commentary, avoiding dated pop culture references, thus ensuring the humor endures. The movie’s musical landscape, orchestrated by Bret McKenzie of "Flight of the Conchords" fame, includes standout numbers like the Oscar-winning "Man or Muppet" and Kermit's emotionally resonant "Pictures in My Head." These songs tie seamlessly into the film's narrative, making each musical moment a blend of hilarity and genuine emotion.

"The Muppets" succeeds not merely by entertaining but by invoking a deeper emotional connection, much like "Toy Story 3." It tackles themes of relevance and nostalgia without losing its core essence: pure, unadulterated fun. This blend of comedy and pathos, coupled with a return to form for Henson's characters, ensures that this movie is not just a revival but a robust reaffirmation of why the Muppets remain beloved across generations. The film invites audiences old and new to laugh, remember, and rejoice in the timeless magic of the Muppets.

"The Muppets" Blu-ray marks the triumphant return of Jim Henson's beloved characters with a seamless blend of humor, charm, and nostalgia. Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller successfully revive an American institution, delivering a film filled with heartfelt exchanges, tearful reunions, and infectious musical numbers. Newcomer Walter adds a fresh dimension to the cast led by Jason Segel and Amy Adams, who both shine in their roles. The script is nearly flawless, although Cooper’s portrayal of the villain Tex Richman is somewhat underwhelming, and the ending feels abrupt. Still, these minor faults are easily overshadowed by the film's overall success in reintroducing The Muppets to both old and new generations.

Technically, Disney’s Blu-ray presentation is impeccable. The video transfer is excellent, providing vibrant colors and crisp imagery that bring the Muppets’ world to life. Additionally, the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track offers an immersive audio experience, ensuring that every laugh, song, and heartfelt moment resonates well. However, the supplemental package is somewhat lacking. The included digital download of the soundtrack and filmmakers' audio commentary are appreciated, but other extras fall short of expectations. Despite this, the high-quality audio-visual presentation more than compensates for the shortcomings in supplemental content.

Is "The Muppets" a muppet of a movie or a very manly Muppet movie? Rest easy, Kermit fans. It's a very manly Muppet movie and it delivers on all fronts—from newcomer Walter to Jason Segel and Amy Adams, the script, the laughs, the heartfelt exchanges, the tearful reunions, the songs, the music... the whole package. While not flawless, the positives far outweigh any minor missteps. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a good laugh and nostalgic charm. Order your copy today and welcome The Muppets back into your home.