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Set in the "Muppet Show" theater, complete with Statler & Waldorf heckling from the balcony, MuppetVision 3D shows us the inside of Muppet Labs, where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker have "perfected" 3-D technology. To show off their work, Dr. Honeydew introduces us to the first 3-D, computer generated Muppet, Waldo C. Graphic.
Then, as you could probably guess, something goes terribly wrong, and Waldo runs amok throughout the show, ultimately crashing Sam the Eagle's attempt at a patriotic finale. The Swedish Chef even tries to shoot down Waldo, but just manages to destroy the theater in the process.
In short, it's the mayhem you expect from the Muppets.
MuppetVision 3D debuted at Walt Disney World in May 2001 1991, one year after the sudden death, at age 53, of Muppets creator Jim Henson. Henson in 1989 had agreed to sell his company to Disney, which led to the creation of the MuppetVision 3D show at the then-Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. Henson's death ultimately scuttled the deal, but in 2004, Henson's heirs agreed to sell the rights to most of the non-Sesame Street Muppets to Disney.
MuppetVision 3D also plays at Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim.
What's your take on MuppetVision 3D?
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For the most part the main reason people used to go and see these shows is because of the 3D element, now however 3D is seen as the norm and this has damaged the popularity of some 3D movies at theme parks.
However, Muppet Vision seems to be an exception, in fact Disney have even invested in a small refurb for the attraction recently, a clear sign the the show is still popular.
This has to be put down to the fact it's hilarious and keeps audiences of all ages laughing from the pre-show until they drop their 3D glasses in the bin on the way out.
For me Muppet Vision is the prime example of what a 3D show should be in order to remain popular in the long-term and in my opinion it deserves at least an 8 on the Theme Park Insider ratings.
MuppetVision is wonderfully over-the-top, just like Henson's best works from the sixties and seventies. And it has a heart. Maybe it's all the furry things in the movie, or maybe it's just this sense you get that Jim and his Muppeteers genuinely liked their audience...I don't know, but the whole thing feels like a big hug to me.
It's fitting that in this world of Avatar and Up and Coraline--where 3D is treated as just another tool, something the "sophisticated" directors keep nuanced and understated--that the BEST theme park-based 3D movie would be daring enough to turn that concept on its ear and exploit the 3D gag for maximum yuks.
There was a rumor a while back that Disney might redo the Muppetvision preshow. I say NO WAY (especially when you hear the stories about the Muppet guys shooting this thing in a weekend with no script...that blows me away).
RATHER, I suggest the Mouse keep the preshow. INSTEAD create a new 3D feature for the main theater starring the Muppets. Imagine the fun you could have with 10' tall blue alien muppets in 3D.
That's be real fun, as long as the new Muppet guys have the chops to retain this show's heart.
"You have a minute an a half"
"Uhhhhhh"
LOVE IT!
It only gets an 8-Commendable, however, because of the extremely irritating character "Waldo". Every time he's on stage, I just want to punch him. He's very un-Muppet-like.
Theme Park Insider
Then something goes terribly wrong... WOrd 2 yO MoThEr!@#$%^&*()
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