Genre: Superhero/Adventure/Family
Director: Frank Oz
Writer: Jacob Jones
Based on Sesame Street characters
Cast: Jim Carrey, Edward Norton, Chris Knowings, Alan Muroska, Eric Jacobson (voice), Ryan Dillon (voice), Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (voice), Matt Vogel (voice), David Rudman (voice), Frankie Cordero (voice), Stephanie D'Arbuzzo (voice), Martin P. Robinson (voice), Stacey Gordan (voice), Carmen Oshbar (voice)
Plot: Just outside Hooper’s Store, several children, parents, and various other characters are gathered inside, all clamoring in excitement as Alan (Alan Muroska) and Chris (Chris Knowings) mess around with a large movie screen. Upon finishing, Chris sees the audience and welcomes them to Sesame Street. Alan tells them that today is a very exciting day. Grover (Eric Jacobson) comes in to excitedly tell the audience that they are about to witness the world premiere of the first ever Super Grover movie.
In the audience, Big Bird (Matt Vogel), Elmo (Ryan Dillon) and Abby (Leslie-Carrie Rudolph) are busy getting everyone snacks when they discover Cookie Monster (David Rudman) has already found the snack of his choosing. A cookie! Not long after, everyone gathers in their seats. To start the film, they must count backward from ten. Count Von Count (Matt Vogel) leads the procedure, encouraging those watching to join in. Upon finishing the countdown, we are transported into…
Space. The final frontier.
A flying saucer zooms among the stars. Inside, General S.T.I.N.K (Jim Carrey) is navigating when the ship signals a disturbance. A kindness disturbance. He brings Dr. Disrespect (Edward Norton) over to see where it is coming from. After much examination, he confirms that there is a planet with too much kindness, more specifically, a certain place. He introduces General S.T.I.N.K to a place called ‘Sesame Street’. Curious, S.T.I.N.K decides to observe the area and gather more information.
Back in Sesame Street, everything seems to be as usual. Grover is working as a waiter for Charlie’s, attending to Mr. Johnson (or at least, trying to) when he hears a cry for help. In a flash, he transforms into his alter-ego Super Grover and flies into the sky, locating the disturbance by Hooper’s Store. Upon landing, he finds that a little girl’s cat has gotten stuck up a tree. Using a ladder, he climbs up the tree and gently convinces the cat to come to him. The cat slowly comes by Super Grover and lands on his arms, making him able to bring the cat back to his owner.
Back in outer space, General S.T.I.N.K watches in disgust as Super Grover saves the cat. He decides to keep a closer eye to see what happens next. Before Grover can return to Charlie’s, he hears another call for help from not far away and finds Elmo tending his arm, saying he has a boo-boo. Using his super thinking skills, he is able to give Elmo a bandage to help make it better. For his final super deed, he helps resolve an argument between two kids by reminding them about kindness and why it’s important to respect one another.
This proves to be the final straw for General S.T.I.N.K who tells Dr. Disrespect that he's going to think about this. A few minutes later, he returns wearing more human clothes. He tells Dr. Disrespect to beam him down to Sesame Street, explaining that he's going to pretend to be a new neighbor. Once Grover is convinced, Dr. Disrespect is to bring him here. Once done, he will turn on his 'Nasty Ray' and turn the entire street into mean, nasty wasteland.
After being beamed down to Sesame Street, S.T.I.N.K tries to figure out his first move when he comes across Big Bird, asking what his name is. The general thinks for a bit before calling himself Jim, saying that he just moved from Jupiter...Florida. He then gets a tour of the street, including cameos from Ernie, Bert, Prairie Dawn, Zoe among others. Jim thanks Big Bird for showing him around and declares that he's going to 'love' it here.
Back on the spaceship, Dr. Disrespect is busy futzing around with the ship when he accidentally turns on the levitation switch and locks a target on a trashcan. Annoyed by the movement, Oscar (Eric Jacobson) opens his can, asking what's going on before realizing that he's floating. Rosita (Carmen Oshbar), Abby and her brother Rudy (Frankie Cordero) see this while playing hide and seek and attempt to save him, only to fail miserably. The three watch in horror as Oscar's can floats up into the sky...
“WAIT, WAIT, STOP THE FILM!”
The film pauses, everyone watching Grover work himself into a panic over what has happened with Oscar. Chris and Alan come to him, calming him down and promising that everything is going to work out. Trying to save face, Grover claims that he knew that and was merely acting out the reactions from their friends. The film then resumes...
Now free from Big Bird, Jim looks around for Grover, asking some of the people if they know where he is. Elmo tells him that Grover may be at Charlie's, the restaurant Around the Corner. When asked where that is, Elmo admits that he hasn't been there in a long time. Jim heads off, continuing his search for Grover. Elmo then comes across Rosita, Abby, and Rudy who all frantically tell him what happened with Oscar. Elmo looks at the apartment, finding Oscar's can missing. He wonders what could have happened…
Inside the flying saucer, Oscar wakes up upon hearing Dr. Disrespect’s voice. The doctor tells him not to worry, saying that he'll have him back on Sesame Street shortly. Oscar however tells him that this tranquility is wonderful, something he hasn't had in years. Curious, Dr. Disrespect asks him what it's like on the street, growing more disturbed at how ‘sickly sweet’ the street is. Dr. Disrespect makes a deal with him. If he helps General S.T.I.N.K conquer the world, he'll give him all the trash he wants. Taken back by the offer, Oscar accepts the proposal.
Back on Sesame Street, Jim finds Cookie Monster eating a cookie and tries to ask him if he's seen Grover. Cookie has not, and seeing the frustrated look on Jim's face offers him a cookie. Jim tells him to keep it and walks off, sitting by the apartment stairs, convinced that he'll never find Grover. It's at that moment Grover makes his walk home from Charlie's, sitting on the apartment stairs by Jim. The two engage in some idle talk, not knowing who they're speaking to. When Jim gets a glimpse of Grover, he gives him a hug.
Jim explains that he's heard so many great things about Grover and most importantly his alter-ego Super Grover. He asks him if he can give him some tips on how he can be as super as him. Grover agrees, offering to take him to Hooper's. Upon arriving, Grover discusses what it means to be super over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You have to investigate the problem, observe what is happening, and create a solution. Above all else, you have to treat everyone with kindness. Jim unknowingly shows this by sharing some of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Back on the saucer, Dr. Disrespect is busy recording everything Jim is doing, putting it in a journal. He asks Oscar who he hates the most on the street. Oscar declares that you can take your pick but considers Abby to be especially obnoxious. Doubly so when with Elmo. Dr. Disrespect takes that under note, claiming to have a great surprise. In her garden, Abby and Rudy try to get their minds off of what happened earlier by playing a game of tag. The two chase each other around the garden, Dr. Disrespect observing their every move. Then, when the time is right, he turns on the levitation ray, aiming for Abby...
Sensing herself losing all sense of gravity, A panicking Abby calls Rudy to help her. He tries to hold on as much as he can but ultimately watches his sister be taken away. He cries out for help, begging for somebody to save her sister. Grover hears this as he is leaving Hooper's Store with Jim and transforms into Super Grover. He, along with Jim, head to Abby's Garden where a hysterical Rudy explains what happened.
Upon hearing that it's the second time today this has happened to someone, Super Grover decides to launch an investigation in spite of Jim's claims that it might be a coincidence. Super Grover promises Rudy that he will find her sister and that everything will be alright.
Abby awakens in a mysterious room, filled with seats and a screen. She tries to escape but finds she is trapped by a seatbelt. She then hears Dr. Disrespect welcoming her to a special presentation of his most favorite movie, explaining that he's heard so much about her and her friends. After relaying the plan to her, Abby warns him that he can't do this. The doctor tells her that it's too late, the plan is already coming to fruition.
He then begins the short film, showcasing a kind person being mocked, ridiculed, and pushed around, claiming that kindness is nothing but a weakness. Abby tries to fight it, but the combination of colorful visuals and hypnotic music forces her to submit. As Oscar watches on, horrified by what he's seen, Dr. Disrespect laughs hysterically…
“WAIT, HOLD IT, STOP THE MOVIE AGAIN!”
For the second time, the film is stopped. Grover asks Elmo if they see what Dr. Disrespect is doing to Abby Cadabby. Elmo does, admitting that it makes him a little scared knowing someone could use their influence like that. Big Bird then notices Julia (Stacey Gordan) covering her eyes, clenching tightly to Fluffster and shaking uncontrollably. He comforts her, saying that Dr. Disrespect isn’t going to get away with it as long as Super Grover is on the case. Seeing how unnerved the scene made everyone, Chris and Alan give everyone some time to calm down (giving Cookie Monster enough time to have an intermission cookie) before resuming.
Back on the street, Super Grover investigates everyone about their whereabouts during Abby's kidnapping. Unfortunately, he doesn't get very far leading Jim to ask if what he's doing is worth it. Grover explains that this is what he needs to do in order to save Abby. Jim remains unconvinced, so Grover gives a monologue on why doing super deeds to help others is a good thing to do. Upon seeing this, Jim seems to finally understand…
And almost seemingly on cue, everything goes black…
When Super Grover wakes up, it's in General S.T.I.N.K's flying saucer. He stares at the man who he thought was a friend, asking what he has done. General S.T.I.N.K explains that he tricked Grover into believing he was a friend so he can obtain his secrets. Now he can turn Sesame Street into the nastiest street on Earth.
Super Grover tries to stop him from turning on the Nasty Ray but is knocked out by a shoe by the newly christened Abby McCavity. He turns around, shocked to find Dr. Disrespect, Oscar, and Abby staring him down. Grover can only watch as General S.T.I.N.K turns on his Nasty Ray, aiming right at Sesame Street...
For the third time we cut back to the audience, but this time it’s not Grover who interrupts, it is Telly (Martin P. Robinson) who laments how Super Grover has failed. Hearing all the commotion, Chris reminds everyone that the movie isn't over yet and to not give up on Super Grover. Grover agrees, saying that it isn't over until Super Grover says so. The film resumes from there.
That night, Elmo is about to get to sleep in his room when he hears a loud argument going on outside. He looks out the window, discovering Ernie and Bert arguing with each other. He isn't sure what's going on but assumes it's Ernie and Bert being themselves and going to sleep. The next morning, however, Elmo goes outside and finds that Sesame Street is an absolute warzone with people fighting, arguing, and generally being mean to each other. Confused, he spots Chris and Alan motioning for Elmo to join them at Hooper's Store.
Elmo enters the store, finding it has turned into some sort of bunker. There he finds Big Bird, Rudy, Rosita, and Cookie Monster and asks why everyone is being so mean. No one is sure, but they do know what happened has something to do with Grover being kidnapped. Alan reveals that he saw the whole thing and told Chris to warn others just in case something happened, so they got as many people in as possible and had them spend the night here.
Concerned, Elmo exclaims that they've got to save Sesame Street. But how? Rudy explains that Super Grover likes to observe, question, and investigate. So if they try to do what he does, maybe they can figure out how to find him. He also encourages the kids watching to come up with ideas too. Everyone is on board and with the help of those watching conjure up a plan to rescue their friends and save Sesame Street.
Back on the flying saucer, Super Grover is tied up and forced to watch the same film Abby did. For some reason, however, it doesn't seem to be having the same effect on him as Abby's. Despite this, it is clear he is fighting through the pain. Near the end, he appears ready to succumb when he is taken back to his youth when Super Mommy (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) first told him about what it means to be kind. This gives him new life and he breaks free.
He runs off, trying to avoid Dr. Disrespect and General S.T.I.N.K when he catches a glimpse of Oscar watching his street turn into anarchy. Grover comes up to him, asking if he knows what has happened. Oscar glumly calls it everything he ever dreamed of, and yet finds it so haunting. Grover asks Oscar if it is really a dream if he himself is unhappy. Oscar thinks about it and disagrees, but says he can't do a thing about it as long as he's stuck here.
Feeling a sense of determination, Grover convinces him that it's not too late and that Sesame Street can still be saved. They just need to find a sign of hope. They find it by spotting Elmo, Rudy, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Rosita all sharing, playing together, and being kind to one another. Sensing an opening, Grover tells Oscar to join the others, he's got an idea. After figuring out how it works, Grover turns on the person-sucker ray and sends the five friends to the saucer.
After the group of five are sucked into the saucer, Grover gently wakes them up and lets them in on the plan. In order to defeat General S.T.I.N.K and his 'Gang of Discontent', they must use the one thing they have most of. Kindness. The five all take on alter-egos, promising to defend Sesame Street from General S.T.I.N.K.
"So that's why you're here then?!"
A loud voice echoes throughout the saucer causing the group to stare at General S.T.I.N.K and his army. Super Rudy looks on, heartbroken that his sister Abby is with them. Despite this standoff, General S.T.I.N.K is happy. By bringing the last few kind people here, Sesame Street is now a mean, nasty, awful wasteland. He cackles in celebration when he hears Oscar mutter "Not for long".
Oscar's distraction is enough for The Feathered Friend to make his way to the controls. General S.T.I.N.K commands Dr. Disrespect to stop him only to be chased after by Chonk. Meanwhile, Abby and Rudy take part in a high stakes game of freeze tag that ends when La Guitara grabs a hold of Abby and tightly hugs her. Rudy then comes up to her, saying that its him, his brother. He begs Abby to remember all the great times she's had with not just him, but her friends. A montage of her finest moments plays, ending when Abby looks at her brother and apologizes.
La Guitara lets go of Abby and the two siblings share an embrace. They then notice The Feathered Friend struggling to hold back General S.T.I.N.K and go to help him along with Wonder-Elmo and Super Grover. The three proceed to use the power of imagination to create four separate feathers to tickle the general. By the time they stop, The Feathered Friend had turned off the Nasty Ray, causing its effects to wear off.
General S.T.I.N.K wails in agony over his plan falling apart when he comes across Super Grover. He tells the general how disappointed he is in what he did, almost destroying the street. Especially since he knows he could be kind, as shown by him sharing his sandwich in Hooper’s Store. But to everyone's surprise, he admits fault, saying that he explained what kindness is but never showed him. When he watched that movie, he was reminded of how to be kind and it brought his spirit up. They all offer to help General S.T.I.N.K learn how to be kind to others.
Realizing that he has been beaten and the sincerity from everyone, he admits that no one has ever shown him kindness before and accepts Grover's proposal. From there, the saucer lands on Sesame Street, causing a commotion from everyone on the street. Everyone motions into a crowd, unsure of what's happening when Julia spots Super Grover and the others exit the ship with Abby and Oscar.
Ecstatic over seeing them again and grateful that they saved their street, Alan invites everyone to Hooper's Store to celebrate. Inside the store, Jim observes everyone eating, sharing, enjoying each other's company and having a good time when he sees Grover standing by. He looks at his plate, seeing that he still hasn't eaten his peanut-butter and jelly sandwich. He comes up to Grover, asking if he wants some of his sandwich. He smiles, thanking him. They then spot Elmo falling off of one of the stools in Hooper's Store. Alarmed, Jim borrows one of Grover's bandages and puts it on Elmo's knee.
Upon realizing that he is showing kindness to others, he declares that he's going to love being kind to others, much to everyone's happiness. Alan then gathers Elmo, Big Bird, Rosita, Rudy, Cookie Monster and Grover together and puts together a ceremony, declaring them heroes. As everyone celebrates, Grover decrees that this could be the beginning of a new era for Super Grover. Alone, he was super. But there is nothing more super than to share the power of kindness with others. And so Grover along with the other heroes (as well as Abby) agree to join forces and create a new league of heroes called The Kindness Squad. Together, they vow to help spread the word of respect, sharing, tolerance and most of all, love.
"And maybe one day, we will have our own movie universe!" Grover declares. Everyone stares at him in bafflement, only for him to declare that he was just kidding. The group laughs as they return to the party.
During Credits:
After the movie ends, all the characters celebrate a happy ending. Telly claims that he knew it would end well all along and watches as Grover joins the others for some interactions. Elmo invites everyone to Elmo's World for the afterparty, only to forget that they have to use their imagination to get there. Rudy tells Abby how wonderful she did in the movie and asks what her next role will be. Abby shrugs, saying she’ll wait until she’s out of fairy school.
Grover comes to Alan and Chris, calling the premiere a big success and thanks them for organizing the premiere. Inspired by the movie, Count Von Count offers Cookie Monster a spot in his film. When asked what the cookie budget will be, Count starts to count away. Grover is then asked to make a speech when he tells everyone that Sesame Street was brought to you today by the letters S and G. Everyone laughs at the joke.
Out in the distance, Jacob (Jacob Jones) sits on the steps of the apartment along with Jim and Edward discussing film ideas when they see the others by Hooper’s Store, wondering what they’re excited about.
No comments:
Post a Comment