The Great Gonzo Goes on Quite a Ride
Over the last few years, Disney has taken several passes trying to figure out what to do with the Muppets. There was a revival movie in 2011 simply titled The Muppets. Led by Muppets mega-fan Jason Segal and the talented Amy Adams, that film focused on the Muppets being separated in the wake of the famed Muppet Show closing down. It was a heartwarming story that introduced new muppet, Walter, while including a ton of cameos.
Next came Muppets Most Wanted, which followed the same formula of puppets in a live-action world. This sequel included Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, and Ricky Gervais. After that, the muppets didn’t do much until a short-lived Disney+ series, Muppets Now. Well, the legendary puppet troupe of characters is back in 2021 with the first Halloween special in the franchise. Welcome to Muppets Haunted Mansion.
This 53 minute special goes back to the original format of the muppets. Puppets are the primary characters and, just like the original show, humans cameo, but the world is that of the muppets. More specifically, the haunted mansion of Disneyland fame is that of the muppets. It’s Halloween and the muppets are having a costume party. The two who aren’t joining the party are The Great Gonzo (Dave Goelz) and his buddy, Pepe (Bill Barretta.)
These two are going to a scare challenge. It is the 100th anniversary of the disappearance of Gonzo’s idol, The Great MacGuffin. They are challenged with staying in the mansion for the course of the entire night. If they do, they will win a prize. That’s the setup and it’s really the only plot needed for the special.
Dropped off by the chauffer (Community’s Yvette Nicole Brown), the come face to face with the caretaker (Trese’s Darren Criss). The duo is told of ominous past visits to the mansion and warned that no one ever makes it back out alive. They enter the house and meet their host (Arrested Development’s Will Arnett.) This flamboyant and charismatic character sets them on their challenge.
The special is a true mash up of traditional muppet humor and the events that take place on the actual amusement park ride. Taraji P. Henson shows up for a recurring bit as a deadly bride. The Muppets dance and sing and tell bad puns and dad jokes as viewers should expect. There are a handful of musical numbers, including the wonderful “Life Hereafter.” It’s short, funny, heartwarming, and very self-aware.
Muppets Haunted Mansion isn’t going to win Oscars. It’s a fun little family-friendly special that will make viewers laugh (and then ask themselves why they laughed at that bad pun). It’s exactly what many people expected when Disney acquired the Muppets – a partnership between the Mouse’s magical amusements and the Muppets’ entertaining absurdity. Definitely a fun, non-spooky way to enjoy the Halloween season.