The Muppets Take Manhattan Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" presents a well-regarded 1080p transfer that retains the film’s natural grain structure while delivering superb clarity and detail. Despite the age of the source material, this transfer excels in maintaining the integrity of the original visuals. Distant objects and backgrounds, be they cityscapes or crowds, are sharply defined, creating a strong sense of depth. Close-up textures are equally impressive, highlighting every nuance on the puppets, the lines in human faces, and the gritty details of New York’s streets and interiors. Colors are impressively balanced, with Kermit's iconic green, Piggy's pink, and other vivid hues standing out distinctly. Concrete grays and black levels are also notably realistic, contributing to an overall clear and pleasing visual experience.

Notably, while there is a hint of waxiness in some human faces, this doesn’t detract significantly from the viewing enjoyment. Instances of haloing and color bleeding due to strong white light are minimal but present. The 1080p transfer occasionally reveals the strings controlling the puppets, a testament to its clarity. Instances of print damage are negligible, and there’s minimal intermixing noise without any signs of detrimental banding, blockiness, or edge enhancement. Although some may find the aesthetic indicative of its 1980s origin, this is a remarkably strong catalogue transfer from Sony that honors the beloved film’s visual charm without compromising on technical quality.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" on Blu-ray exhibits stellar audio quality, primarily highlighting the film's outstanding musical components. The soundtrack excels in delivering both whisper-quiet and rowdy, energetic show tunes, offering precision in sonic performance. The natural spacing, crisp highs, robust midrange, and substantial yet not overwhelming low end enhance the listening experience. The production values and quality of the lossless presentation are evidenced by a certain realism inherent to the tunes. Additionally, the surround channels provide apt musical support and subtle city ambience, although they rarely immerse the listener entirely into New York's streets or the film's prominent little diner.

Dialogues are consistently center-balanced and clear, avoiding any confusion with other sound effects or misplaced positions within the soundstage. The track's prioritization is evident in scenes such as when Animal’s screams echo through the sound field without overshadowing Kermit's stage dialogue. The rear channels effectively render the bustling activity of New York streets and restaurant environments, adding depth without dominating the main audio elements. The fidelity is commendable with no noticeable hissing or popping, even during high notes. This 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation proficiently captures the amusing musical talents of the Muppets, ensuring a highly engaging and satisfying auditory experience.

The Blu-ray of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" offers a solid set of extras that fans will appreciate. The primary feature is an insightful interview with Jim Henson, divided into fourteen sub-segments that cover topics such as Directing vs. Acting, Kermit & Jim, and the intricacies of Filming in New York City. Henson's reflections, especially on puppetry and his collaborative work with Frank Oz, provide a rich, behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. Additionally, the "Muppetisms" shorts deliver light-hearted humor featuring favorite characters like Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy, though brief, these segments capture the essence of what makes the Muppets timelessly entertaining.

Extras included in this disc:

• Jim Henson Interview: Jim Henson speaks about various facets of "The Muppets Take Manhattan".
• Muppetisms: Humorous shorts featuring characters like Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, and Pepe.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• BD-Live
• DVD Copy

"The Muppets Take Manhattan" is a timeless piece of family entertainment, retaining its charm and appeal over the decades. Released in 1984, the film follows the Muppets as they graduate from college and attempt to take their musical "Manhattan Melodies" to Broadway. The Muppets' journey through New York is filled with humor, warmth, and an endearing simplicity. Despite facing numerous obstacles and separations, Kermit stays behind in pursuit of their Broadway dreams. The storytelling relies heavily on the engaging performances of Jim Henson and Frank Oz, whose puppeteering brings a real, tangible sense of emotion to the characters. This craftsmanship allows the human actors to interact seamlessly with their puppet counterparts, resulting in performances that are natural and heartfelt.

The film's script wisely avoids overloading secondary and tertiary character development, yet manages to give each Muppet and human character a meaningful role, ensuring they contribute significantly to the story's progression. This precision in writing extends to the plot structure and dialogue, ensuring that every scene serves a purpose. The sweetness and wholesome nature of the film shine through its colorful characters, catchy show tunes, and subtle life lessons on friendship, trust, and personal fulfillment. "The Muppets Take Manhattan" stands out for its ability to entertain both children and adults, providing layers of enjoyment from pure fun to deeper emotional connections.

One of the most impressive aspects of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" is how effortlessly the Muppets are integrated into everyday scenarios without raising eyebrows within the film's world. Scenes like the wedding showcase the level of skill involved in puppeteering and highlight the seamless way Jim Henson's team incorporated the Muppets into human settings. This blend of realism and fantasy creates a captivating experience that feels both magical and authentic. Overall, "The Muppets Take Manhattan" captures the essence of what made Jim Henson's work extraordinary—bringing unparalleled joy and enchantment to audiences of all ages.

Sony's Blu-ray release of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" brilliantly captures the timeless charm and whimsical nature that has characterized the Muppets for decades. This 1984 classic, directed by Frank Oz, continues to captivate both young audiences and those who grew up loving these characters. The film’s presentation on Blu-ray is exceptional, with a vibrant visual transfer that preserves the rich colors and fine details, making the characters as lively and endearing as ever. The audio quality is equally impressive, offering a clean and well-rounded sound that ensures all the dialog and musical numbers are clear and engaging.

One notable downside is the lack of supplemental content. Fans of the Muppets might be disappointed by the absence of in-depth behind-the-scenes features or retrospective interviews that could have enhanced the home viewing experience. However, this shortfall does little to detract from the core offering: a robust technical presentation that brings the Muppets' world into crisp clarity. The Blu-ray maintains a professional standard typical of Sony releases, which is commendable given the film's age.

They don't make 'em like this anymore, but maybe they don't need to. "The Muppets Take Manhattan" remains a dazzling, heartwarming, and genuinely good-intentioned children's movie that's still as colorful, catchy, and fun as it was back in the eighties. The film has aged well, and in today's world of cold and detached special effects, watching this movie makes it all the more clear how real, tangible, and simple movie magic can be just as exhilarating as—if not more so than—any CGI elements. While it might not be considered a cinematic classic by all, it’s certainly an unforgettable piece of entertainment. Sony’s Blu-ray release reaffirms their commitment to quality, making "The Muppets Take Manhattan" a highly recommended addition to any family’s collection.