"such a flex" 1981 Muppets Movie receives glowing VFX artist review
VFX professionals give Jim Henson's 1981 movie The Great Muppet Caper great marks. Following Kermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear, three Muppet reporters traveling to London to investigate the disappearance of a missing, valuable gem, this musical heist comedy marks Henson's feature directorial debut. Henson personally, Frank Oz, and Dave Goelz perform the three Muppet characters individually; additional names like Richard Hunt, Louise Gold, and Jerry Nelson accompany them.
Now, decades after its premiere, the VFX at Corridor Crew deconstructs the Visual Effects of The Great Muppet Caper. The three examine a scene where Miss Piggy and Kermit are both riding a bike and it seems flawless without any obvious hand or anyone guiding the motorcycles. Calling it "such a flex" and quite smart, they delve deeply into how this achievement might have been accomplished. Please find their comments below:
The Great Muppet Caper Visual Effects Breakdown: A Stealthy Flex
"This is hard to figure out; all I can tell is from a shadow in the behind-scenes. There are no pictures of it."
"Yeah, you could see him."
"They're probably just rotating it or sometimes its not way high up in the air but it's way closer to the ground and it's basically like a crane arm coming off a car or a truck and they're simply driving along."
Like these are really flexible.
"It's incredible and at the very end you can see that they almost lose it because they have to keep the bike in contact with the ground so the wheel spins, but the bike actually hangs, so they’s are just barely trying to keep it touching the ground, so they get the wheel spinning but not so much into the ground that it falls over."
The Great Muppet Caper is evidence of Jim Henson's inventiveness and the Visual Effects crew's genius. Combining live-action and puppetry with creative use of visual effects gives the movie an absolutely unique and interesting viewing experience. The visual effects of the legendary Muppet movie still wow even decades later, highlighting the team behind it's ability and commitment.
Upon release, how did the Great Muppet Caper fare?
Unlike the positive assessment given by the above visual effects professionals on this musical heist comedy, The Great Muppet Caper upon debut in 1981 was widely greeted with quite divided comments. After the first film to feature the well-known ensemble of Muppets, The Muppet Movie, which was both commercially successful and critically praised, the film was expected to follow in popularity and appreciation. But this wasn't the case.
Commercially, The Great Muppet Caper performed worse than its predecessor, generating only roughly $31 million domestically in the US, and right now it ranks as the fifth highest-grossing film in the cherished Muppet series. The Great Muppet Caper was, importantly, also a mixed bag. Although the movie's slapstick humor and excellent one-liner set-ups won over critics, its especially unbalanced storyline drew criticism as well.
The Great Muppet Caper: Examining a Beloved Film From Years Past
An amazing view of a full-bodied Kermit the Frog riding a bicycle dominated the first Muppet Movie. How was this effect carried off? The Great Muppet Caper gets a 78% rating on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes. Still, The Great Muppet Caper has received increasing praise over time, partly because of its deft use of VFX, even if it might not rank so highly in Henson's vast Muppet series.
Popular classic Jim Henson's The Great Muppet Caper never fails to thrill viewers of many ages. The movie is a constant favorite because of its mix of adventure, comedy, and music as well as the charming Muppet characters. Though very basic by today's standards, the visual effects of the movie nonetheless demonstrate the inventiveness and imagination of the directors. The movie is evidence of Jim Henson's ongoing legacy and his capacity to design characters and tales that would still inspire viewers all around.
Behind Scenes of a Classic Muppet Film: The Great Muppet Caper
Filmed with legendary events, the Great Muppet Caper boasts an appealing musical score, endearing characters, and funny sequences. Just as intriguing as the movie itself is its behind-the-scenes narrative. To bring the Muppet characters to life, the production of the film engaged a committed group of puppeteers, animators, and technicians. Charles Grodin, Diana Rigg, and John Cleese were among the gifted performers in the Great Muppet Caper who brought their own wit and appeal to the movie.
The continuing appeal of the Great Muppet Caper is evidence of Jim Henson's creative brilliance. Audiences are still delighted and entertained by the movie's mix of adventure, music, and comedy. < The Great Muppet Caper reminds us of the strength of imagination and the capacity of Muppets to make people of all ages happy and laughing.
