5. Puppet Master (1989)
Frank Forrester: Just a little bit of sauce and Dana can become quite the cynic.
Dana Hadley: I am not a cynic, Frank! I like to think of myself as a nasty bitch.
In 1989, the American horror film “Puppet Master” entangled audiences with it’s marionette driven madness. The uber fromage flick revolves around four psychics who are being plotted against by a spurned former colleague, using malicious puppets made animate by an ancient Egyptian spell. This straight to VHS release (yes, I said VHS) is the epitome of cult classic, as the rabid fan following from the videos spawned off nine other “Puppet Master” films. The puppets are twisted (one is named Blade and has a blade and hook for hands), The script is ridiculous (note the above-mentioned quote), the eye glasses are extremely thick-framed, the sex-appeal is still so very ‘80s and the movie is all the better for it. Although not the most widely appreciated, this film easily lands the top five movies with muppets or puppets with it’s impressive fan-driven franchise.
Check out “Puppet Master” in it’s entirety below!
4. The Dark Crystal (1982)
Another world, another time, in the age of wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good – until the Crystal cracked.
1982, Jim Henson and Frank Oz co-directed “The Dark Crystal,” a British-American fully-muppet fantasy film that would become an icon for it’s genre. When the almighty Crystal is broken, the wicked Skeksis invade and pillage the Gelfling Kingdom, killing or enslaving their entire population. Amid the chaos, Two of the Gelflings survive, Jen and Kira. Jen was raised by the all-knowing Mystics, while Kira grew up amongst the swamp-dwelling Podlings. Jen, sets out on a quest to restore the homeostasis of the mythical Gelfling kingdom by returning a lost shard to a powerful (one may even say Dark) but broken… wait for it…. crystal. Who can deny that Jim Henson, who is debatably the father of modern-puppeteering, alone would easily qualify this 100% Muppet-filled film to make the Top 5. If that is not enough, ’90’s electronic music pioneers, The Crystal Method even sampled the above-mentioned quote for their highly popular “Trip Like I Do” track on their “Vegas” album.
Watch “The Dark Crystal” in its entirety below!
3. The Muppet Movie (1979)
More entertaining than humanly possible!
In 1979, puppet visionary Jim Henson gave cinematic audiences the first glimpse of his Muppets with the 1st in a line of many Live-Action Muppet Musical Comedies. In “The Muppet Movie,” Kermit and his new found muppet friends venture across the united States in search of the fame and fortune of Hollywood, but their travels are made difficult by a nefarious frog-legs merchant with his eyes set on the beloved lean green amphibian muppet. This easily makes the Top 5 as a pioneering film in the live-action muppet/puppet genre. Although made in the ’70s, “The Muppet Movie” really stands up against the test of time showcasing Henson’s signature brand of social relevance that still holds true for today’s audience. Over their eight film franchise “The Muppets” have grossed over $451,440,814 at the box-office and maintain collective average score of 78% on RottenTomates.com. It’s safe to say that, even with Jim Henson gone, “The Muppet” brand will live on in the puppet loving hearts, minds and movie theaters of future generations.
Watch the original theatrical release trailer for “The Muppet Movie” below.
2. Labyrinth (1986)
I can bear it no longer! Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be take this child of mine far away from me!
In 1986, the legendary creative forces of executive producer George Lucas and Director (and Muppet Master) Jim Henson collided. The outcome is the absurd, off-beat, and ’80s flavored British-American musical adventure fantasy film “Labyrinth.” The story starts with young Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), who in a fit of discontentment, wishes for her baby half-brother, Toby, to be ferried off to a far away land. To Sarah’s surprise, the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie), forcefully grants Sarah’s half-hearted wish, and threatens to keep baby Toby if Sarah does not complete his rigorous Labyrinth in thirteen hours. Not only is this movie riddled with fantastic muppet creations from the far reaches of Henson’s and concept artist Brian Froud’s minds, but it brings the star power of a prime David Bowie and budding Jennifer Connelly. Throw in some seriously bizarre (yet supremely cool looking) landscapes, imaginative creature creations and borderline inappropriate thematic qualities which have the 45 year old Bowie pining after the 15 year old Connelly as his goblin bride to be, and you have a high-quality muppet/puppet film.
I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave.
Watch “Labyrinth” in its entirety below!
1. Team America: World Police
America, Fuck Yeah!
Comin’ again to save the motherfuckin’ day, Yeah.
In 2004, Creators of Comedy Central’s supremely popular construction paper animation sensation “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone join with writer Pam Brady to bedazzle audiences with an epic satirical action comedy film and masterpiece of modern puppetry, “Team America: World Police.” In this Live-Action puppet extravaganza, top-notch boadway actor Gary Johnston is recruited to join the hyper elite counter-terrorism organization Team America: World Police. With a rapidly decaying world crumbling around him, Gary must gain the team’s trust, battle with terrorists (who are looking to cast a “Jihad on you.”), diffuse a hostile collection of mercenary celebrities, and find true love all at once. If you haven’t seen “Team America,” then you likely have not seen the greatest testament to muppet/puppet cinema every created. The nuanced detail of the puppets coupled with the acerbic comedic wit of Parker and Stone makes for an unforgettable movie experience. The dirty-minded duo is able to bring life to the complex marionettes, leaving audiences immersed in the “Team America” world just like any other live-action reality. From “Kim Jong Il” doing a rendition of West Side Story’s “I Feel Pretty,” to Gary’s pubic hair-laden undercover identity, to puppets having sex (What?! It’s in the movie… sheesh), “Team America: World Police” has the right mix of reality and absurdity to take the #1 spot in the Top 5 Movies with Muppets or Puppets countdown.