Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird

This is a really cute kids movie with some really great cameos (was that John Candy?) If your kids like Sesame Street and/or the Muppets they will love this movie. Great stuff. Can't recommend it any more highly, almost as good as the original Muppets!

This was the very first movie I ever saw at a theater. I was six years old and my grandma took me to see it. We both loved it. My memories are kind of fuzzy, as I haven't seen Follow That Bird since. But I remember being really sad because Big Bird was separated from his loved ones at Sesame Street. And I remember the gang trying to find him. And I remember, when the movie was over, how happy I was and how much fun I had.

"Follow That Bird" attempts to take a show written for pre-schoolers and present it to a larger audience. Not only that, they attempt to create a film that is both entertaining and enlightening. For this reviewer, they succeed magnificently. There are many "in-jokes," so to speak, in this movie -- anyone who has ever watched the show will laugh whenever one of the characters asks, "Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?" and the normal audience of Sesame Street will still be amused by their favorite characters, while learning something about friendship and the meaning of family. Sesame Street, the TV show, was rather daring in that it showed black, white, green, purple, furry, and ... other ... living in perfect harmony. Except for Oscar the Grouch!

And, speaking of Oscar, one of the many funny bits (this movie is packed with them, and all of the humor is safe for family viewing) is the Grouch diner. Look for Sandra Bernhard as a Grouch waitress. The cameos in this film are something else; Chevy Chase, John Candy, Sandra Bernhard, even Waylon Jennings, all devoted some of their time and talent to making this roundly enjoyable movie. And listen for the voice of Sally Kellerman as Miss Finch, the social worker from the Feathered Friends Society.

Not that all of this movie is funny and light-hearted. There's a few sad moments with Big Bird -- I always get choked up during the "One Shining Star" song, which features a three-part counterpoint with Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Olivia all singing about Big Bird being safe back at home. And the Sleaze Brothers' scenes are thinly disguised cartoon villainry. I don't know if any of the Sesame Street characters have SEEN villains before -- Oscar is the closest they have, but he's just Grouchy. He doesn't actually hurt anyone, and the Sleaze Brothers start out nice and friendly to Big Bird.

We learn quite a bit during this movie -- we learn that we should never order tossed salad in a Grouch restaurant, for example. We learn that it's never ok to jump from a moving vehicle -- unless we have Gordon's permission. And we learn our real home is where the people love and care about us. But, perhaps the most important lesson is that there are 258 fabulous credits! Hahahahahaha! (thunder and lightning sound here) And, from the filmmakers we learn that you CAN make a family film that includes the entire family (how many times have "family films" been suitable only for those family members still in diapers?) and refuses to preach? One of the many strengths of the Sesame Street characters is their ability to teach a lesson without shoving it down our throats. We never feel threatened or annoyed by these characters; we're always safe and welcome on Sesame Street.

"Follow That Bird" is a rare sort of children's film...the type that actually will appeal to both the kids AND the parents. Teens, of course, will hate it...because they're teens....but everyone else should have a nice time watching this together.

The story is about a bunch of do-gooder birds trying to find Big Bird an actual family. They place him with a family of dodos in middle America and he turns out to prefer life back on Sesame Street...and his old friends miss him as well. So, these friends set off to find him...and at the same time Big Bird leaves and wanders about aimlessly looking for Sesame Street.

So why did I like this one? Well because although the film is oriented towards kids, there are some genuinely funny moments...mostly starring Oscar the Grouch. He opens the film with a cute and funny song and has many great moments throughout the movie...such as when he takes his friends to the grouch restaurant. And, if that isn't enough, there are plenty of other wonrderful cameos by the Sesame Street muppets...more than enough to satisfy viewers. Well written, sweet and enjoyable from start to finish...this is a Sesame Street film that's hard not to love.

stars: Dave Thomas and Joe Flaherty. cameos: Waylon Jennings, Chevy Chase, Sandra Bernhard, John Candy and others.

Muppeteers: Carol Spinney as Big Bird and Oscar.

Frank Oz as Bert, Grover and Cookie Monster.

Jim Henson as Ernie and Kermit the frog.

Martin P. Robinson as Telly and Snuffolupogous.

Jerry Nelson as the Count.

Richard Hunt as Gladys, Sully, Elmo and others.

Great movie! It's about a group of birds deciding that Big Bird is lonely and relocating him with an adopted Bird family. Because he doesn't like the family, he runs away. Kermit the frog comes on the news telling everyone and Maria, Gordon, Oscar, The Count, Telly, Grover, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert and many others go searching for him by car, by helicopter and by flying(Super Grover). Great family fun for everyone. Even though it is based on an educational TV show, there isn't any numbers or learning here. It's got some really fun and funny moments and will has a sentimental value in my heart! rated G. 84 mins. my rating-A minus.