A Muppet Christmas Carol – Kermits 50th Anniversary Edition

Among the holiday traditions I’ve developed to pass on to my own family
is in watching the dozens of classic holiday specials, whether movie or
television when they air or from my own DVD collection. Dicken’s A
Christmas Carol has been done in so many ways, both animated and live
action, but when Jim Henson’s Muppets tell the story, it becomes
instantly classic and entertaining for the whole family.

A recent re-release of the Muppet movies, including The Muppet
Christmas Carol, has Kermit celebrating his 50th birthday and has me
buying another, ‘newer’ copy of the film. It goes without saying that I
enjoyed the retelling of the literary classic, so much so that I watch
it once or twice around the holidays. The reprint marks the first time
the film is available in widescreen and includes the fullframed version
as well as a bonus (single) feature not found on the first print.

The widescreen transfer is immensely better and sharper than the
fullframe, I’m guessing this is because it’s the TV edit, though oddly,
the only way to hear director Brian Henson’s commentary track or see
the previously deleted musical number is to watch the fullframe. A very
odd edit indeed.

Bonus features include an On-Set blooper/gag reel of the Muppet
performers flubbing lines or improvising. Another features Gonzo and
Rizzo discussing the Christmas traditions celebrated around the world.
Finally, a Behind the Actor type of featurette on Gonzo and his career
is presented. Missing though is a feature found on the original print,
a behind the scenes featurette where Gonzo and Rizzo interview Henson
and introduce clips of the other performers talking about the film as
themselves and as their foam counterparts.

Even if you’ve already picked up the first print, its a no brainer to
get the 50th anniversary for the prisitine quality of the widescreen
theatrical transfer. It’s a good family flic and presents the
traditional story in a way children and adults can enjoy.