Disney announced yesterday Muppet*Vision 3D will be closing to make way for a new Monsters Inc. ride.  I have a couple headers I want to write related to it, but it dawned on me you probably haven’t all seen the show.  Let’s fix that.

There are multiple recordings on YouTube but this is my favorite because it captures EVERYTHING – the surrounding area, the detailed queue, a polarized filter to remove the 3D effect from the film for home viewing, and multiple angles in the theater to get all of the animatronics and effects.  The preshow featuring Scooter begins at the nine minute mark, and the main show begins at 23 minutes in with Statler and Waldorf.  If you want to get into Deep MuppetVision Lore, there were also alternate preshows with Constantine to promote Muppets Most Wanted, and Pepe to promote Muppets Haunted Mansion.

This was the last Muppet project Jim Henson directed before his death, and one of the final projects featuring him and Richard Hunt as performers.  Dave Goelz, who usually plays Gonzo, played Kermit in at least some shots during reshoots.  From Frank Oz’s Twitter:

After Jim died I completed the 3D film based on his plans. I was offered $50,000 to do so. I respectfully declined the offer. I was asked what I wanted. I replied I was low on socks. I could use some socks. After completion they gave me a basket of socks. And all was well.

I hope Disney keeps their promise to preserve the film somehow, even if it’s just putting it on Disney+.  It’s pure, concentrated Muppet goodness and captures the Muppet Show energy perfectly.  It’s worth saving, even if the physical theater will no longer be there.