Beat:
Relevance-Stan Lee’s beat feels pretty actiony but still upbeat, it works. Henson’s just makes me happy, really fits the personality they gave him. Disney’s is kinda creepy and menacing, which may not fit the man but it definitely fits the character they made him here. 2.5/2.5
Catchiness-This beat sadly isn’t too memorable. At least not until the Disney part, there isn’t really a consistent tune, it’s mostly just sounds. 1.5/2.5
Intensity-Not really intense until Disney’s verse. It doesn’t ever really build, it feels just consistently OK. 1.5/2.5
Variety-There are enough different instruments for me. Especially with Disney’s beat. 2.5/2.5
Overall: Disney’s beat is great, fits him well and saves the score for this beat. Before that, this battle’s instrumentals are pretty forgettable. 8/10
Costumes:
Stan Lee-There’s really not much to complain about here. It’s fairly spot on from all angles. 1.5/1.5
Jim Henson-For young Henson, this is also pretty much perfect. The hair isn’t curved quite right but I can’t reasonably take off for that. 1.5/1.5
Walt Disney-They were right in the BTS, Sherwin does facially resemble Disney pretty well. Something keeps him from looking exactly like him, but I can’t pinpoint what it is so I can’t really fairly take off for it. 1.5/1.5
Extras: Kermit and the artists are fine, can’t complain. .5/.5
Impressions:
Stan Lee-It’s good, it’s just not exact, there are noticeable differences. The accent is fine, it’s just than Stan Lee’s voice is a bit more...growly? Just listen to them in sequence, you’ll see what I’m talking about. 1/1.5
Jim Henson-Reminds me a lot of Peter’s Bill Nye voice. He has the voice mannerisms right, it’s just a little bit exaggerated. I’m not going to be too hard on it though because I actually like this voice more than Jim Henson’s actual voice. 1/1.5
Kermit the Frog-Just because I need something to make this category a clean 5 points. This was definitely close enough for me to not take off points. .5/.5
Walt Disney-I can’t get any audio of Walt Disney yelling, so I don’t know what he’d sound like yelling, but it could’ve been this. Either way, I’m not taking off points because it seems like Disney in this battle overall is meant to be a personification of the company and not the actual person. 1.5/1.5
Stan Lee-Round 1:
Greetings, heroes! Stan Lee's here to battle!
It's the mind behind The Hulk against the geek beneath the Fraggles!
These are just references without real jokes. Aside from saying Jim Henson is “beneath” the Fraggles, which isn’t much.
I'm just your friendly neighborhood writer man with a secret identity of a super MC
This is pretty clever, and the visuals make it even better.
Whose raps are as dark as my shades; leave you squealing like "MEMEMEMEME!"
Two kind of simple but effective jokes.
You're in trouble now, Jimmy, you dirty old hippie!
Funny, not really at all clever though.
Your beard needs a little bit of snikt, damn skippy!
Again, visuals really help this joke out. The “damn skippy” part however seems like a stretch for a rhyme.
Heck, that face on your neck ain't sexy!
You're one part Sweetums, the other part Skeksis!
Pretty funny references.
Step up to Lee and you get your butt kicked!
Filler.
Your muppet Snuffleupagus stuff is bupkis!
The actual point of the line is kind of confusing, but the flow is really well written.
I broke Ferrigno and the Comics Code,
I really like the double meaning of “broke” here.
So keep your frog and pig show moving right along down the road!
Some pretty good subtle references in this.
Overall: Got some filler, and not every joke really hits, but there’s still a lot of good here. 9/10
Jim Henson-Round 1:
I’m glad you got that out. (That anger can clutter your mind.)
Just now got this by reading a reference guide. This is actually pretty clever, especially having it come out of Kermit’s mouth. My only problem is that it’s not really an insult or anything.
But you’re a creative man, Stanley (yeah), so let’s just leave it behind
‘Cause I can sense your tension, once the verbal fencing starts commencing,
There is no defense against the dents Jim Henson is dispensing
Very well done, and sound great with the soothing Henson voice.
And I’m clenching all your strings like you’re a puppet in suspension.
Pretty darn obvious, definitely not bad though.
Call your superhero friends in (Yeah, ‘cause you’re gonna need Avenging.)
Good line, my only problem is that it got me excited the Avengers were gonna show up :( no but i get why they did that and this is a good line
Let me mention, I’m impressed by all the vision that it took
For you to sign your name (on all of Jack Kirby’s comic books.)
Brutal.
Overall: Pretty strong lyrically, but some of the lines seem to just be there to build personality and aren’t super clever. 8.5/10
Stan Lee-Round 2:
Nice try, frogman, but Jack was a friend of mine! (THWIP!)
Cool references make a good line out of what should’ve been a pretty basic set up line.
That was a low blow, he did his own Thing, and now you’ve made it clobbering time!
Nice pun, surprised I wasn’t expecting something like it.
Oh, you taught children to count and spell,
Then you taught your own kids how to drop your wife harder than you flopped on SNL!
(Probably the most brutal line of the battle.)
I’m telling you, Henson! You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry, I’m a Marvel of a party pooper!
Good references, not great or anything.
I’ll snap your turtleneck like a Doozer stick, and put you out to pasture like Mr. Hooper!
Even better references.
And I’m not going to review anything else from the next two verses because it doesn’t seem right to judge it on the same scale as the rest of the battle. They’re not supposed to be clever, they’re just supposed to be a tribute. So anyway, for Stan’s second verse before the tribute:
Overall: Near perfect, actually. Just a few little tweaks and this could’ve been a 10. 9.5/10
Walt Disney:
(M-I-C) I rock the mic properly!
(K-E-Y) Turning profits, I’ve got the key!
This is a pretty perfect way to introduce Disney.
I’m the Juggernaut of stacking knots unstoppably!
Clever reference.
The Disneyland-lord of your intellectual property!
This is an awesome pun.
So get back to work! That’s my dime you’re wasting!
I didn’t buy you for billions so you could play around debating!
Not super clever, but really funny, and creates this wonderful personality of Disney as this stereotypical douchey boss.
You belong to Disney, which means you stay busy!
Filler.
Cranking out magic and assembly line whimsey!
Again, not most clever, but I like how eerie this line is.
Artists begging me to stop; I won’t let ‘em!
Delivery is awesome. Line itself isn’t great, but I can’t get mad at it because it sets up the next line well.
Labor conditions in my shop? I don’t sweat ‘em!
Can’t believe I’ve never heard this pun before. It’s awesome.
I’m powerful enough to make a mouse gigantic!
Pretty clever.
With only 3 circles, I dominate the planet!
Fact statey.
Clearly, there’s nobody near me!
Really filler.
I’m owning this battle! In fact, I own this whole series!
Awesome fourth wall break.
So hop on my Steamboat, boys, but don’t rock it!
Probably the best Steamboat Willie reference you could make with this Disney character.
I’ll put a smile on your face, and green in your pocket!
Decent references.
You’ll be safe and insured, when you’re under my employ!
Now, look at it! Gaze upon my empire of joy!
Not a super strong finish, although it works with the visuals.
Overall: It’s close between a 9 and a 9.5. I’d probably just say screw it and give a 9.25 normally, but I need a winner, so I’ll be generous. Just lots of funny lines and nice references in this verse, even if this isn’t the Disney most of us were hoping for. 9.5/10
Ungraded Stuff:
Idea-Henson vs. Lee is a good idea, and Disney was a nice touch. I just have a few problems with the idea. The first being that Disney is kind of wasted here. He himself was a fascinating guy with lots of pros and cons to use against him, and making him into a personification of his company seems wrong. Second, while it’s close, I don’t think this is finale worthy in its whole. People want big for finales, and this isn’t much bigger than say Obama vs. Romney. Maybe if they’d never done a 3rd party before this would be fitting (Jobs vs. Gates was a perfect storm ender just because of how different it was for ERB at the time). It’s almost ERB worthy, but it’s not quite there for me, and would’ve probably done better in the middle of the storm (then with East vs. West as finale).
Presentation-This battle is awesome visually. Stan Lee and Disney both have some awesome effects. Henson doesn’t have too many cool effects, but Kermit is awesome and really well done. And the tribute part is pretty touching and genuine for ERB.
Overall: This is a great battle and a great video. Maybe not finale-worthy, and I’m personally kind of meh on the beat, but the lyrics are pretty much as good as ERB’s ever done. I could tell ERB really does care about these characters (well maybe not Disney) and that they put a lot of themselves into this battle. 8.5/10
Stan Lee’s Worst Line: Step up to Lee and you get your butt kicked.
Stan Lee’s Best Line: (Oh, you taught children to count and spell!) Then you taught your own kids how to drop your wife harder than you flopped on SNL!
Jim Henson’s Worst Line: But you’re a creative man, Stanley (yeah), so let’s just leave it behind.
Jim Henson’s Best Line: (Let me mention, I’m impressed by all the vision that it took) For you to sign your name (on all of Jack Kirby’s comic books.)
Walt Disney’s Worst Line: Clearly, there’s nobody near me!
Walt Disney’s Best Line: The Disneyland-lord of your intellectual property!
Final Results:
Stan Lee: 18.5/20
Jim Henson: 8.5/20 (equivalent to 17/20)
Walt Disney: 9.5/10 (equivalent to 19/20)
Total Score: 62/70