I've been a muppet fan all of my life. In fact two of my many write ups about Jim Henson and the Muppets have even been featured on IMDb (Jim Henson Saying Goodbye 20 Years Later and What Your Favorite Muppet Says About You). It has long been my dream to make the Muppets cool again. Sir, you have beaten me to the finish line, but I tip my hat to you. If it wasn't going to be me (an extremely minor internet celebrity that no one has ever heard of) I'm glad it's you (a film and television superstar).
Since Tuesday at Midnight I've been receiving phone calls, twitters and facebook messages from friends and fans asking me why I haven't talked about this movie yet. You have created the highest rated Muppet film ever and managed to bring back the charm of The Muppet Movie and Muppets Take Manhattan.
I want to thank you. 2011 has been a relatively lack-luster year for me film-wise. I didn't see too many films that I HATED but I also didn't see many films that left a lasting impression on me. But when I walked out of The Muppets last night after a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner, I knew I had just seen the film of the year. From the opening line of dialogue to the closing credits I wore a constant smile on my face. I woke in the morning wanting to talk about the movie with everyone. I felt like a kid who just watched their favorite movie and wanted to watch it again and again. I wanted to talk about this movie when I wasn't watching it.
In the character of Walter you created a Muppet version of myself (and thousands of others waiting for this day to come). For those kids who have every Muppet movie on DVD (even the bad ones), that bought ever Sesame Street product they could afford and those who have memorized skits from the Muppet Show, you have given them a voice.
I cried listening the opening narration, I cried listening to Kermit's speeches. You created a film that reminds us why we loved the Muppets in the first place. But more than that, you reminded us about what the Muppets seemed to represent more than any other franchise. Friendship and Family are the most important things in the world. You can succeed. Don't be afraid to believe in yourself. If just one person believes in you...
So thank you Mr. Segel. I doubt that you will ever read this (I want to believe that you will) but just in case you do read this. Thank you so much for bringing the magic of Jim Henson back into this cynical world, even for just an hour and 42 minutes.
With Love,
Matt Kelly
I could not agree with you more about this. We watched the movie last night. I have never before been in a movie theatre where you could tell that that whole audience (for those who grew up with the muppets) was brought back to their childhood. My parents were there as well, being brought back to earlier years when us kids would routinely watch the muppet show. It is the first time in my life I ever left a movie wanting to thank the creator for what they did. That was how I came across your open letter to Jason Segel. I could not have said it better myself and I believe your letter represents an entire generation of gratitude that Jason Segel was able to bring back the muppets as we all knew them.
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