Joey Magidson
I love Jim Henson and the Muppets. Director Ron Howard clearly does as well, with every frame of the documentary Jim Henson Idea Man imbued with that affection. Debuting at the Cannes Film Festival before heading to Disney+ at the end of the month, the doc offers up a lot for anyone looking to dive into Henson. While very much a film that honors above all else, it still makes for an entertaining and uplifting time.
Jim Henson Idea Man is the sort of movie that fans and newcomers alike can embrace, albeit for different reasons. The visionary’s life and work is showcased in a way that Muppet lovers will get a kick out of, even if there isn’t a ton of new information. If you’re somehow new to Henson and the Muppets, you’ll be hooked and finally understand what the fuss is about.
The documentary seeks to take us into the mind of singular creative visionary Jim Henson. Starting with his early years on local television, all the way to Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, films, and beyond. We see his ambition, creativity, and workaholic nature combine to craft some real magic. Classic characters like Kermit the Frog are essentially created before our eyes, while his family, friends, and colleagues talk about the man behind the puppets. A brilliant puppeteer, he also revolutionized television, inspired generations of children, and used his imagination to leave a permanent mark on the world.
Jim Henson’s works are given a lot of time in the doc, which also includes his early projects like Wilkins and Wontkins commercials, which were previously thought lost to the world. Howard and company have found them, however, allowing us to appreciate the artist in his earliest days, when the creative spirit was already in evidence.
Jim Henson is shown in all forms here, with the talking heads highlighted by his family, as well as collaborators like Frank Oz. Listening to Oz talk about their working relationship is really something, considering that he’s a genius as well. Henson footage does a lot, but his wife and children also help to paint the picture.
Director Ron Howard, along with writer Mark Monroe, honors Henson in a way that fans will be very pleased by. If you love the Muppets, Howard gives you some real glory shots. He also manages to use animation, as well as fun editing, to hook you in. Henson is obviously the star, with strong color provided by Oz, but Howard and Monroe do a good job preventing any repetition from setting in. You’re with Howard the entire way.
Jim Henson Idea Man will delight Muppet fans, for sure, but is also a very nice entry point for newcomers to the man’s work. Playing at Cannes, it’s a lovely little upper amongst what seems like a potentially very heavy lineup. The documentary comes to Disney+ on May 31st, so be sure to check it out!
SCORE: ★★★
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