Jim Henson: Idea Man Reviews!

By now you've hopefully watched Jim Henson: Idea Man at least once (if not multiple times), and so did the critics. Below are a few reviews of Ron Howard's documentary.   

The Wrap: "Ron Howard Takes a Loving, Honest Look at Muppets Creator"

The Hollywood Reporter: "A Middle-of-the-Road Portrait of a Genius"

LA Times: "Ron Howard renews appreciation for the Muppet Mastermind"

KQED: "Muppets Creator Jim Henson Gets a Documentary as Exciting as He Was"

Variety: "A Heartfelt, If Safe, Tribute to a Singular Figure"

Laughing Place: "Showcases the Life and Work of a Modern Genius"

Empire Magazine: 3/5 Stars "Ron Howard’s genial account of the legendary Muppeteer plays it safe, with a fairly traditional documentary-making approach — but it still manages to be adequately inspirational, celebrational and, yes, even Muppetational."

The film currently has a perfect 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 97% Audience Score.

You can read the full reviews at the links above.

We're still working on our review, but in the mealtime what did you think of Jim Henson: Idea Man?

Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

Watch AND listen to Jim Henson: Idea Man!

Ron Howard's long awaited documentary, Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+!

In anticipation for audiences to further explore the Muppet catalog, Disney+ also added the Muppet Collection banner to the home screen (it was already previously available via the search).

But that's not all. Disney Music is releasing David Fleming’s soundtrack score as well. The soundtrack is available now digitally on all music platforms.

Disney posted five tracks which you can listen to below. 

Jim (From "Jim Henson: Idea Man"/Audio Only):

"Sesame Street" (From "Jim Henson: Idea Man"/Audio Only): 

Bert & Ernie (From "Jim Henson: Idea Man"/Audio Only):

"Muppets, Inc." (From "Jim Henson: Idea Man"/Audio Only): 

Thank You Jim (From "Jim Henson: Idea Man"/Audio Only):

They also released the following clip entitled "Timeless Creativity": 

Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

"Jim Henson: Idea Man" Trailer!

The first trailer for Jim Henson: Idea Man, was released this morning and it gives us an "idea" of what to expect from the upcoming documentary.

Watch the trailer below then stick around for our observations. 

 

Now that's you've watched it (over and over again like us) here's a few things we we looking forward to in the film.

ANIMATION!

Not only was Jim Henson a puppeteer, but he was also interested in animation. From a sketch of Big Bird that spouts feathers, to sketches of Kermit and the Sam and Friends gang being drawn before our eyes, to an invisible force sewing / painting the original Kermit from Jim's grandmothers old coat, it looks like we're going to see his "Ideas" literally come to life.

Rare early Footage!

We're going to see rare clips of early Henson work such as the Wilkins and Wonkin's commercials and Sam and Friends.

Behind The Scenes Footage!

We're going to see rare glimpses behind the scenes at how our favorite characters are brought to life. 
 

Merch and More!

We're going to get a peak of the world of Jim Henson's creations outside of their productions, and see how they grew into a worldwide phenomenon with toys, and being features in the  Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade..  

The Henson Family

Not only will there be interviews with Henson's children, we'll learn how Henson's success impacted his family. 

A Wide Variety of Henson Productions!

Sure it's a Disney+ documentary and Disney owns The Muppet characters, but we'll also see plenty of footage and learn about the creation of Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Time Piece, The Storyteller, and I'm sure even more.

JIM!

Of course being a documentary about Jim Henson, we'll also get insights into the man himself; what his influences were, and what drove his to not give up on his dreams.

Are you ready?

Jim Henson: Idea Man from Academy Award Winning Director Ron Howard streams May 31 on Disney+. 

Poster for "Jim Henson: Idea Man" Revealed!

We just learned the release date for Jim Henson: Idea Man and now we have the poster art for the documentary. 

The poster features an image of Henson looking into the eyes of Kermit the Frog with the tagline "Never stop Creating" 

Jim Henson: Idea Man from Academy Award Winning Director Ron Howard streams May 31 on Disney+. 

"Jim Henson: Idea Man" - Vanity Fair First Look & Release DATE!

Vanity Fair has a "First Look" at Ron Howard's upcoming documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man.

The article not only reveals the documentary will feature new interviews with Rita Moreno, Frank Oz, Lisa Henson, and Jennifer Connelly

But also reveals the documentary will stream on Disney+ May 31.

So get ready to watch Jim Henson: Idea Man May 31 on Disney+. 

Disney+ Henson Documentary Get's Title / Release Window!

In 2022,we found out Ron Howard was directing a documentary on Jim Henson for Disney+. We know now the title and it's release window thanks to a re-release of Karen Falk's book. 

Simon & Schuster is releasing a new version of Henson archivist, Falk's 2012 book “Jim Henson’s Imagination Illustrated" on August 27th 2024, with new a foreword by Ron Howar

As you can see, the updated cover features a promotion sticker for the Disney+ Original Documentary, “Jim Henson: Idea Man.”

While Disney hasn’t officially announced the release date for “Jim Henson: Idea Man”, with the new version of the book due out in August it's a safe bet the documentary will be released on Disney+ sometime between now and then.

The upcoming documentary promises to be the definitive portrait of Henson, produced with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family, and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film.

With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.

This new documentary is being produced “with the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family,” according to a release, “and will present a fascinating and intimate look at Jim’s illustrious career creating treasured characters and revolutionizing television and film. With never-before-seen personal archives, the film will give audiences an exciting first-person view into the life of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators through exclusive home movies, photographs, sketches and Henson’s personal diaries.”

No official release date has been announced, but it won’t be too long until “Jim Henson: Idea Man.” is released on Disney+