The Second Coming of Kermit the Frog
Written: Nov 20 '02 (Updated May 07 '03)
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Pros: Amazing likeness, wonderful pose, expression, texturing--I love these toys!
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: My favorite new toy line of the year. And next year. And the year after that. Go figure.
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Palisades The Muppet Show: Kermit the Frog 6" Figu... |
I’ve been a Muppet fan since I was a pup. Some of my earliest toys that I chewed on, dug in the sandbox with, and blew up (exploded, not inflated) were from the Muppet Show and Sesame Street. And, although Sesame Street has had a good run and a recent Renaissance with the likes of Tickle Me Elmo, the Muppet Show and its stars, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the rest of the wacky crew. Of course, toys associated with a television show that went off the air over 20 years ago shouldn’t be expected—but now they’re here, and I welcome them.
Palisades Toys, known for their artistry and attention to detail (and their willingness to indulge fans) recently played the music, lit the lights, and raised the curtain on a Muppet Show line of Action Figures. And if you haven’t seen them yet, you don’t know what you’re missing! This is the first time there have really been Muppet Show action figures made—and they’re amazing. The first wave is still on some shelves, and consists of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Dr. Teeth, Bunsen Honeydew, and Beaker (who comes in a large Muppet Labs Playset).
This review will focus on Kermit—my personal hero, my friend, my brother. Am I that crazy? You bet your buggy eyes I am. The Kermit action figure stands about 4” tall, and is the shortest one in the line so far. He’s beautifully packaged in a deep red package reminiscent of the Muppet Theatre curtains, and although it’s a shame to ruin the packaging, you’ve gotta play with this frog to really see the beauty of his design.
I love my toys, but I’ve come to realize there are different degrees of toys. Some are just mass-produced, stamped out pieces of plastic meant to be played with for a short time. Happy Meal toys, Pokemon, Batman toys generally follow into this category. The Muppet Show line from Palisades…this is ART. Every detail has been noticed. The best example of this is in the texturing of Kermit. Now, although Kermit is a frog, he’s a frog that’s made of felt. Palisades remembered this, and instead of giving him a smooth texture, like most toymakers have done in the last 30 years, they’ve given him a wonderful “nubbly” texture like the worn felt appearance of the “real” puppet. Like the puppet, the action figure has creases and folds in Kermit’s neck, elbows, and knees—as if the action figure was made of felt. It makes for a much more realistic toy than we’ve ever seen before. His pointy collar is perfect, of course—all eleven points are there, and it’s a different color than his body.
Kermit comes with several accessories—although I would have loved to have a banjo, like we see him play in the Muppet Movie, Palisades didn’t have the rights to the movie at this point, and so we get some others. What we do get is very nice: a television camera with “The Muppet Show” logo, a coffee mug with “Kermit” written on it, and a “The Muppet Show” base to help Kermit stand up.
If I had any gripes about my Kermit action figure, it would be things that are necessary to make him in toy form. For example, I would have loved to have seen jointed knees and elbows, so Kerm could sit on a wall as he often does, crossing one leg over another and chatting about, say, letters of the alphabet, or discussing relationships with Miss Piggy. BUT…if Palisades had put a joint in his knees or elbows, it would have sacrificed his slender limbs that are so necessary for Kermit’s look.
This toy is amazing. If you haven’t seen him in person yet, check your local Toys R Us, Media Play, or EB—they aren’t available at most retail stores, but are at the toy stores. This is a great series to get on board with now, and although you can still find the first wave, soon they’ll be joined by Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Floyd, and Crazy Harry…and you’ll need Kermit to keep things cool. There’s also an alternate, Tuxedo-wearing Kermit with a top hat that you can find at Toys R Us…if you hurry!
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MORE Muppet Action Figures? You BET!
Series One
Miss Piggy http://www.epinions.com/content_81637707396
Dr. Teeth http://www.epinions.com/content_81569549956
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew http://www.epinions.com/content_81822191236
Series Two
Fozzie Bear http://www.epinions.com/content_85935820420
Crazy Harry http://www.epinions.com/content_98525613700
Floyd Pepper http://www.epinions.com/content_98514865796
Gonzo the Great http://www.epinions.com/content_98463813252
Series Three
Scooter http://www.epinions.com/content_91825081988
Lew Zealand http://www.epinions.com/content_91457293956
Zoot http://www.epinions.com/content_91549830788
Rowlf http://www.epinions.com/content_90764316292
Playsets
Muppet Labs with Beaker http://www.epinions.com/content_81755606660
Electric Mayhem Stage with Animal http://www.epinions.com/content_98538262148
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 7.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
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Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reviews written: 2137
Trusted by: 599 members
About Me:
Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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