All the screenshots in this post were taken directly from the movie by me. A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa is available on Disney Plus.
While it's clear from the first few minutes that "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" doesn't hold a candle to the other Muppets Christmas specials (especially the iconic 1992 film: A Muppet Christmas Carol), I've noticed that even in the most mediocre of its settings, Jim Henson's creation manages to remain charming.
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And while most of the elements we usually expect from a story with Kermit and his friends are present here (good songs, guest stars and a simple and effective story), it's undeniable that it lacks that "spark" that makes them work so well in other films.
Of course, having been released in 2008, just a couple of years after Disney acquired the Muppets, it's quite remarkable that the mouse house still didn't have a clear idea of what to do with these characters, and generally settled for releasing direct-to-DVD or television specials that barely mimicked the style of the classic films.
Directed by Kirk R. Thatcher, "Letters to Santa" sees the Muppets decide to travel to the North Pole for Christmas, so that Gonzo can deliver a letter from one of his friends directly to Santa, thus fulfilling a promise he made to him.
It's a simple premise but with potential, and that's why most of its footage (just over 40 minutes) is wasted with the Muppets trying to organize the trip, instead of showing the trip directly.
The writing is quite mixed, with a couple of moments that perfectly mimic the classic Muppets style and others that are very reminiscent of their most recent audiovisual forays (such as the 2011 movie and the brilliant ABC series), but in general terms, there is nothing particularly brilliant.
The guest artists are very good, and the advantage of the show is that it is too short to get bored. However, things could be much better. Everything ends very abruptly and there are very specific moments where the muppets feel out of character.
Or maybe it's my fault for trying to find entertainment in a Muppets Christmas special in the middle of February.
Score taken from my Letterboxd account.
Twitter/Instagram/Letterbox: Alxxssss
