Being Elmo review

From the moment he first saw The Muppets and Sesame Street, Baltimore-born Kevin Clash knew he wanted to be a puppeteer. This sweet documentary tells the story of the kid who was not only inspired by Muppet creator Jim Henson, but who actually followed his dream and ended up working with the Muppets and creating his own: that adorable red fuzzy puppet beloved of toddlers around the world – Elmo.

While aimed at grown-ups, this documentary about Clash (and Elmo!) has lots of moments that will fascinate older kids who themselves grew up laughing along with Elmo and his pals Mr Noodle and Dorothy the fish. There’s footage of Clash’s earliest puppet creations, and his first meeting with Henson’s team, as well as some great behind-the-scenes stuff showing how Elmo, Bert and Ernie and other characters are made. (Be warned – don’t show this movie to kids who still believe Elmo and his muppet friends are real, as a scene in the muppet ‘factory’ where there are drawers devoted to different fuzzy eyeballs and noses, and yards of red fluffy fabric used to make Elmo may traumatise them for life).

Like 2012’s earlier release The Muppets, this short and sweet movie is one for the cute and fuzzy nostalgic in all of us.