A Muppet Family Christmas

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Eric Till
Starring:
Release date:	30 September, 2003
List price:	~~$14.95~~
Our price:	that is 100% off!

A Muppet Family Christmas

Average rating:

Destroying a Classic.

I remember watching this special when it first aired on television back in 1987. What I remember most about it was that it brought together all of Jim Henson's Muppets (at the time); not only were Kermit and Company there, but the whole Sesame Street gang, and the Fraggles from Fraggle Rock. Fortunately, that togetherness remains intact. Unfortunately, about ten minutes worth of footage has been edited out and therefore makes this DVD inferior and uncomplete.

Besides the Muppet family all getting together, I fondly remember a comedy act Fozzy practices with a snowman and about a minute's worth of a Muppet Baby family video. Both of these have been edited out of this DVD. Also missing is a scene when Miss Piggy slips on some ice.

Nevertheless, the film is still enjoyable to watch. After all it is the Muppets and even when they are cheated from their just screen time, they make 40 minutes worth of viewing much more enjoyable than most of what can be found on television today.

I would give this DVD 5 stars, but because of the missing scenes, it's only getting 3.

Pieces missing from Classic

This is an annual favorite. I can't for the life of me figure out why Henson Productions would allow these meaningless edits. After all, a vhs tape will hold 2 hours-worth. This special was watched BY MILLIONS of people on Nick-at-Night for years, not to mention it's original airings. Did they think NO ONE would notice the missing scenes????? For this reason, I give this vhs version only 4 stars. Absolute senseless and stupid editing by people who obviously have NO CLUE why we true fans like The Muppets. It's a good thing I have an old video tape copy from having taped it off TV myself. Maybe we'll all get lucky, and The Odyssey Channel will air it this season, unedited. (tho their track record for giving the Muppets their due is sketchy at best).

If you've never seen this... it's a family favorite, charming, sweet, and **very** funny! The running gag of the icey patch, the Swedish Chef trying to make a holiday meal of Big Bird, Piggy getting caught in a blizzard, and the poignant cameo by Jim Henson all make it a wonderful special that's hard to beat (even the edited version). At the end is a wonderful Christmas carol sing-along. A real treasure.

Edited badly

A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS is a truely enjoyable special, but instead of buying this DVD, I suggest you tape it off of TV the next time the Hallmark Channel shows it.

Why?

Because this DVD is edited. These aren't just minor edits, but entire scenes are cut out and the edits are extremely noticeable. It seems that Sony couldn't be bothered to get the rights for some copyrighted Christmas songs to release this unedited. Well then, I can't be bothered to get the DVD, and neither should anyone else who cares about what he/she is watching.

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