Street Gang: A Review

This past weekend Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street finally made it’s debut via the Sundance film Festival. For those that may not be aware, this film has been in the making since 2016 when it was first announced, then part of a Indiegogo crowd sourcing campaign.

When the filmmakers first announced the film it was going to be a whole story about the entire run of Sesame Street and it  was going to have "original animation, 3D photo conversions, original music and A rebuild that Season One set!“ None of those flourishes are present in the final version and the film is better for it. 

Instead of gimmicks, the film based on Michael Davis' book, uses archival and current interviews interspersed with never before seen footage and behind-the-scenes shenanigans to really capture the spirit and heart of the show of how the show came to be, the first few seasons and it's legacy. 

There are so many heartwarming stories about Jim Henson, Joe Reposo John Stone, and Joan Ganz Cooney that, even if you’ve heard the stories before, they feel new and like you’re part of the family.

The film will make you laugh, cry, and feel loved, often simultaneously. Just like Sesame Workshops mission the film is unapologetic in letting you know the power that progressive social change can bring to the world.

To put it simply from the very beginning it’s two hours you do not want to end. 

The use never released outtakes with the characters were they sometimes use some well colorful language (for the Sesame characters anyway) was a surprise and a delight as you got to see the performers really shine. 

While there are a few brief clips of the show today, they mention or interview any of the current cast, or really anyone that wasn't there before 1981. 

If I had one gripe, it would be the credits. Full disclosure: I was was one of the many initial backers of the film. They thank a ton of people, including the financiers, but not a single mention of the fans that helped support the film from the beginning. 

While the film does not have an official release date it was purchased by HBO and is set to debut sometime on HBO and HBOmax sometime this year.

I hope since Street Gang was at Sundance, that qualifies the film for an Oscar, as I could see it easily being a contender for best documentary. 

This review of Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street was brought to you today by the letter a A, for A+.