The Muppets Take Manhattan 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Sony's 4K UHD presentation of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" boasts an impressive 2160p resolution that establishes a vibrant and refined image, touting a remarkable balance of color saturation and a consistently stable grain structure. The visual update from the 2011 standard Blu-ray edition is evident, with grain appearing more uniform and refined without veering into artificial territory. Primaries are vibrant, black levels deep, and contrast is robust, enhancing the original film's bright, bouncy cinematic feel. Fine textures and crisp edges emerge with the newly available resolution, revealing intricate details in Muppet fur, clothing, and props that muppet aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate.

The color palette is vivid and rich across the board; Kermit’s green, Fozzie’s brown, and Scooter’s orange all look splendidly saturated. While handling intense brightness impressively, peak nits deliver aggressive yet well-executed luminous performance—reflective of New York at night scenes. Minor issues such as occasional red crush or slight softness in some scenes crop up but can be traced back to the original cinematography rather than to Sony’s remastering or the 4K encode. There's minimal print debris, and any lapses in encode performance during highly saturated scenes are brief and hardly detract from the overall visual quality.

In summary, "The Muppets Take Manhattan" not only benefits from a cleaner, sharper image with reduced grain but also maintains its nostalgic charm through enhanced contrast and meticulously preserved detail. Despite minor imperfections tied to the original photography, this 4K UHD presentation represents a definitive visual upgrade that fans of all ages—whether nostalgic adults or new, young viewers—are bound to enjoy.

Sony's 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" offers a commendable audio presentation through a remastered Dolby Atmos track. The overall sound design provides an immersive and dynamic experience, notably accentuating the zaniness inherent to a Muppets film. Smart prioritization ensures that dialogue remains clean and clear throughout, with vocals delivered crisply and without distortion. The soundtrack, particularly the musical numbers, leverages the wide soundstage effectively, integrating both overheads and surrounds. Busy city scenes and chaotic Muppet-filled moments are rendered convincingly, enhancing the ambient conviction of the film's universe.

Simultaneously, the DTS HD Master Audio mix on this release layers upon this foundation, maintaining a stable and balanced audio profile. Vocals are sharp and devoid of any noticeable hiss, ensuring clear communication of dialogue and lyrics. While perhaps not possessing earth-shattering bass, the low-end output efficiently supports the audio layers, adding a substantial yet controlled depth without overwhelming the viewer.

The dual offerings of Dolby Atmos and DTS HD Master Audio showcase Sony’s dedication to preserving the film's auditory charm while leveraging modern technology to elevate it further. For a film of its vintage, these mixes breathe new life into both daily bustling street scenes and musical interludes alike, making "The Muppets Take Manhattan" sound remarkably fresh.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" offers a solid collection of extras that delve into the production intricacies and provide nostalgic content for fans. The new commentary by Frank Oz stands out, offering insight into the production challenges and cherished memories of working with the Muppets. It is engaging and heartfelt, shedding light on Jim Henson's creative environment. Moreover, the ported-over content from the previous Blu-ray includes amusing short clips and a comprehensive interview with Jim Henson, making this edition worth revisiting.

Extras included in this disc:

• New Director's Audio Commentary: Frank Oz shares production insights and personal anecdotes.
• Muppetisms: Short clips featuring Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, and Pepe.
• Interview with Jim Henson: Henson discusses directing, acting, character roles, filming in New York, and more.

The Muppets Take Manhattan remains a delightful entry in the "Peak Muppets Era," characterized by its classic charm and engaging narrative. The film follows the illustrious Muppets gang as they graduate from college and ambitiously attempt to bring their musical, Manhattan Melodies, to Broadway. Here, the plot centers on Kermit's relentless pursuit of success amidst numerous setbacks, including con artists, high living costs, and the eventual splitting of the group. The interactions between Muppets and humans are flawless, thanks to Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s exemplary voice acting and nuanced puppetry.

The movie thrives on a simplistic yet sophisticated script that deftly balances humor with heartfelt moments. It smartly avoids cramming unnecessary backstory for secondary characters, allowing every character to contribute meaningfully to the primary plot. The human actors have the advantage of performing alongside tangible Muppet counterparts, enabling authentic interactions. This seamless integration elevates the emotional depth and relatability of both human and puppet characters.

Despite echoes of previous Muppet antics, The Muppets Take Manhattan imbues new flavors — introducing adult-themed humor while retaining child-friendly sensibilities. It thoughtfully communicates core values like friendship, determination, and integrity without overt moralizing. The narrative does feel somewhat familiar, but it simultaneously reinforces the Muppets' timeless appeal and their unyielding pursuit of dreams. Packed with delightful cameos and intricate puppetry, the film ensures a visually stimulating and dopamine-rich experience, proving that even familiar formulas, when executed perfectly, can deliver unmatched joy and entertainment.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" successfully transports fans back into the magical world created by Jim Henson, now with impressive audiovisual enhancement. The 2160p resolution allows the vibrant colors and intricate details of the Muppets universe to shine like never before, revealing textures and hues that were previously imperceptible in older formats. Coupled with a newly-mixed Dolby Atmos audio track, the immersive sound design breathes fresh life into the film. Kermit's dialogue is crisp, Miss Piggy's crescendos sparkle, and the bustling sounds of New York City envelop the viewers, creating an engaging surround experience that elevates the nostalgic charm of this timeless classic.

The inclusion of new features, particularly the insightful Frank Oz audio commentary, offers fans deeper insights into both the production and the enduring legacy of the film. However, while valuable, the additional behind-the-scenes materials feel somewhat sparse. There is a missed opportunity for comprehensive retrospectives or interviews that explore the broader cultural impact of the Muppets over the decades. Despite this, the overall package exemplifies care and dedication to preserving and enhancing one of the beloved chapters in Muppet history.

If the 4K Blu-ray release of "The Muppets Take Manhattan" is any indication of what can be accomplished when properly bringing the Muppets films into the future, then this super fan of Henson's creations is one happy puppy. Manhattan looks great, sounds great and even offers a new Frank Oz audio commentary. A few additional behind-the-scenes materials or newly produced retrospectives would've been nice, sure. But snatch this one up in time for Christmas. You -- or the Muppet nut in your house -- won't be sorry you did.