Kermit the Frog’s curiosity and his love for adventure are traits he's had since his early childhood living in the swamp. These characteristics have led to wild and dangerous adventures for him and his friends. In Kermit’s Swamp Years, 12-year-old Kermit's curiosity seems to be getting the best of him. He wants to find his way in life and have a sense of purpose.

His mother has told Kermit (voiced by Steve Whitmire)  there's a star in the universe guiding him and that the world outside the swamp is far too dangerous for a young frog. She thinks amphibians and humans should never meet, for incredible danger awaits the creatures if they do. Nobody ever comes back, and according to a cranky alligator named Arnie (voice of John Kennedy), they get eaten alive, taken apart, or sauteed. At least that's what he tells Kermit and his friends Goggles (voiced by Joey Mazzarino) and Croaker (voiced by Bill Baretta). Despite these warnings, Kermit is having a hard time ignoring  the voices in his head. They urge him to leave the swamp and learn if the world outside the bog is as treacherous as he has been told.

When Wilson (William Bookston) runs out of frogs and toads for his pet store, he gets into his shiny red truck, throws a net in the back and arrives at the swamp hoping to replenish his stock. He scoops up Goggles and an ill-tempered bull frog named Blotch (who looks and sounds like Oscar the Grouch). 

In the meantime, Dr. Krassman (John Hostetter) and his assistant Mary (Kelly Collins Lintz) are not having any luck finding frogs for biology students to dissect as a class project. Mary suggests placing an order with Bookston for a large quantity of amphibians. 

Kermit and Croaker must figure out who took Goggles and Blotch in time to save them. After debating the subject, they  finally agree that a red beast with wheels and gigantic teeth has made off with Goggles and Blotch. Neither has any idea what happened or where the beast is headed. One thing they do know -- the beast had wheels.

They are dumbfounded until Pilgrim the Dog comes along. She seems to know a lot about the world outside the swamp and the disposition of humans. She used to have a loving family until circumstances led her to become a stray longing for an owner. She latches on to Kermit and Croaker hoping they will take on that role but has to settle on being a friend instead.

Pilgrim corrects Kermit and Croaker about Wilson and his truck, thereby setting things in motion for them to rescue Goggles and Blotch. However, Goggles is not so sure he wants to escape because he's heard stories about how humans pamper their pets. Now that's something he could get used to! Unfortunately, he doesn't realize some owners aren't very nice or responsible.  

Hostletter puts in a solid supporting turn here as Dr. Krassman. Lintz and Bookston do the best with what's written for them, but their characters serve merely as plot devices to keep things moving along. Kermit, Dr. Krassman and Croaker come across as the only developed characters in this lackluster Muppet tale.

The late Jim Henson's sparkle, imagination and vision are missing in Jim Lewis and Joesph Mazzarino's script as well as in director David Gumpel's execution. Similarly, musical numbers lack the humor and charm of the late Joe Raposo's pen.

Kermit's Swamp Years is one of three movies available in the new Muppet Movie DVD Gift-Set which also includes Muppets from Space and Muppets Take Manhattan. 

(Released by Sony Pictures and rated "G" as suitable for all audiences.)