MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN: Catchy musical numbers, famous cameos, and a surprise wedding keep this third Muppet movie lively and fun for kids and parents alike. Miss Piggy, whether skating on roller skates borrowed from Gregory Hines, fuming with jealousy, or looking lovely and plump in lavender, steals every scene, while good guy/frog Kermit captures viewers' hearts. When the Muppets come to Broadway to find a producer for their musical, disappointment is the only result. Discouraged, the gang leaves New York and goes its separate ways while Kermit, his dream still alive, continues the search. With the help of a pack of rats who cook at a diner, Kermit signs up an enthusiastic producer and calls his friends back to New York. But when Kermit disappears before the musical opens, the rest of the Muppets have to decide whether the show must go on. Songs about working for one's dreams and the importance of friendship send upbeat messages to kids, while parents will appreciate the good-humored jabs at the showbiz industry and the cameo appearances by Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers, and Ed Koch, among many others. MUPPETS FROM SPACE: One of the better Muppet features in recent years, MUPPETS FROM SPACE begins with Gonzo wondering where he came from and then promptly receiving messages from his alien brethren. Though the rest of the Muppet clan believe Gonzo is insane, especially after he announces his revelation on Mrs. Piggy's talk show, he arouses the interest of an idiotic government official, which leads to his imprisonment. Kermit reluctantly realizes Gonzo is in trouble and brings his fellow Muppets to try and help him escape. This one features a soundtrack made up of mostly 70s funk and introduces a new Muppet--Pepe the prawn, who gets quite a few laughs here. KERMIT'S SWAMP YEARS: What was life like for Kermit the Frog before he became famous and captured the hearts of Muppet-lovers everywhere? This made-for-video feature will show the entire family exactly where Kermit came from! Young Kermit loves to hang out in the swamp with his friends Goggles and Croaker, but he constantly wonders what the world is like beyond the marsh grass. When Croaker is nabbed by the net of a pet store owner to be sold in his shop, Kermit and Croaker are forced to venture out and discover for themselves. Along the way, they enlist the help of a wise dog named Pilgrim--who takes the young amphibians on a journey that shows that just how wild and dangerous life outside the swamp can be!
