The Muppet Movie

It may be hard to believe in the era of ”Shrek,” but kid flicks used to have a lot more going for them than fart jokes and Smash Mouth tunes, as evidenced by Jim Henson’s smart, lively musical farce. As Kermit, Fozzie Bear, and Miss Piggy travel cross-country on a quest to make it in Hollywood, they encounter numerous celebrities (including Bob Hope, Orson Welles, and Mel Brooks) and, of course, break into song. Though the few DVD extras — save for some test footage in which the Muppets frolic in the countryside — are sorely lacking, Henson’s mix of grown-up (but never cynical) humor and endearingly humanlike characters make this a must-have.