Jim Henson: El hombre y las ideas

"Jim Henson: Idea Man" shows us the trajectory and work of the revolutionary and visionary artist known as the mind and personality behind the Muppets. With a wide variety of interviews, supporting material, and great admiration from director Ron Howard, this documentary provides us with information that goes far beyond the creation of Kermit the Frog and his group of puppets. It's a journey through the motivation, relentless work, perseverance, and great talent of a character who, along with his wife and team, always sought to surprise, innovate, and change the possibilities that television offered.

Jim Henson is undoubtedly a pillar of creativity and positive artistic attitude in recent years, and his legacy will be indelible not only for the relevance of Sesame Street for a generation of children or the cultural phenomenon that the Muppets brought to millions of viewers. He is also a source worthy of admiration and inspiration in a world where everything may seem already defined.

This documentary is a beautifully crafted tribute to one of the most imaginative and creative individuals of our time. Seeing Henson, Oz, and the talented team of Muppeteers at work, performing just below the frame, was both surreal and slightly heartbreaking. It felt as though I had seen too much behind the curtain, losing a bit of that childhood magic where Kermit, Piggy, Fozzy, and Gonzo were real to me.

While the film is visually stunning and expertly made, I felt that certain parts of the 80s were glossed over, leaving me wanting more depth in that era. However, the use of stop-motion was a wonderful addition, complementing the storytelling beautifully.

Ultimately, this documentary paints a touching and heartfelt portrait of an extraordinary man, told through the eyes of those who knew and loved him. It's hard not to be moved by the end, and it's easily one of the most enjoyable projects from Ron Howard.

Fantastic biographical account not only of Jim but the Muppets too.

Jim's boundless creativity makes you question what wonderous creations we would be treated to today had he not been taken from the world so early... Watching this is an emotional rollercoaster for any true Henson/Muppet fan, his legacy will continue in our hearts and with his family.

The world learnt so much from his shows like Sesame street, not just reading and counting but empathy for our fellow occupants of this earth both human and animal alike.

When I watch this movie/doc I'm left with those emphatic words of Elmo "Gotta love me!" well Jim we always did and will do forever!

Thankyou Ron, Frank and the Henson family for this wonderful insight of genius.

When I was in high school, Sesame Street came along. I had study hall before lunch in a small room where we could watch the show on TV. That began my interest in the Muppets and Jim Henson. This documentary is a great view of the history of both.

That said, I'm halfway through and the music is annoying. I'm trying to listen to people talk, watch the pictures, and there's distracting music playing that interferes with the sound.

It's not flowing music, it's short and choppy. That would be fine for scenes that need to imply action, but it's people talking in short, choppy words. The music is ear-catching when it should be subtle and not distracting. Music should be an additive to scenes that don't have dialogue. When people are talking, let them talk!

Jim Henson Idea Man is an earnest tribute to the life and legacy of a visionary. It celebrates puppetry for the incredible art form it is whilst offering a personal look at the effects of fame. It moves along at a satisfyingly easygoing speed up until the final stretch where it suddenly speed runs through a lot of major beats to get to the end but other than that it succeeds at being a beautiful and emotional documentary.

Ron Howard's direction wisely imbues the film with a lot of colourful flourishes and a generally inventive nature in a noble attempt to match the creativity of his subject. It's the usual chronological narrative that charts Henson's life from his beginnings all the way to his untimely death and each little flourish works with the story it's telling, even through the end credits. The footage gathered is amazing and the anecdotes from the people in them are delightful and heartbreaking.