In a world of CGI spectaculars and cynical audiences, is it possible for a movie about puppets to be successful? In the case of “The Muppets” the answer is a definite yes. The cinematic icons, the Muppets, are back for yet another hilarious adventure that’s chock full of zany moments and plenty of nostalgia for the heyday of Jim Henson’s beloved creation. Muppet fans will not be disappointed by the nods to past films and the great television variety show that ran off and on from the mid ’70s through to the ’90s in various incarnations.
Saving the Muppet tradition
Starring and co-written by Jason Segal, “The Muppets” is the seventh theatrical release of the storied franchise. The movie starts off by introducing us to two brothers, one a human named Gary (Segal) and one a muppet named Walter, as they go about their idyllic existence in Smalltown, USA. It’s always been their dream to go off to Los Angeles to visit Kermit the Frog at the Muppet Studios. They embark on what is the first of many travel montages in the film with Gary’s soon-to-be fiancee Mary (Amy Adams) in tow. When they finally reach Hollywood, they discover it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be — the Muppet Studios is sadly in disrepair and on the verge of being torn down by an evil oil baron (Chris Cooper). The old gang has to get back together and put on The Muppet Show just one more time to save the Muppet legacy from total destruction.
Appealing to all audiences
The film truly has something for everyone — grownups will appreciate the subtle pop-culture references and kids will enjoy the expert puppetry. Everybody will love the simple humor.
The movie is incredibly silly as is to be expected. Perhaps the silliest thing about “The Muppets” is its insistence on the premise that the Muppets aren’t relevant anymore. It’s kind of a stretch that children wouldn’t know who Kermit is, or that celebrities like Jack Black would be unwilling to work with them.
A plethora of hip TV stars and comedians pop up in almost every scene of the flick — some of the more memorable cameos include Dave Grohl and Zach Galifianakis. The Muppets have the long tradition of having fun with their famous human counterparts, and the actors have usually been able to hold their own with the more furry members of the cast. Classic performances like Michael Caine as Scrooge in “The Muppets Christmas Carol” and Tim Curry as Long John Silver in “Muppet Treasure Island” come to mind. Sadly, Cooper is just going through the motions in his pedestrian turn as the villain, and Segal and Adams serve as little more than pretty background scenery and an excuse for gratuitous musical numbers.
Entertaining film overall
In an attempt to make “The Muppets” an outright musical, the film is full of seemingly unnecessary musical interludes that play off as half-baked. Indeed, some numbers are more underwhelming than others. It’s certainly not for lack of trying on the part of Segal and Adams, but you get the sense that maybe they are forcing it just a little too much. It is a pleasure, however, to see the Muppets relive some of their most famous numbers like “Rainbow Connection” and the theme song from the “The Muppet Show.”
“The Muppets” can be kind of a downer early on — seeing Kermit moping around his dilapidated Hollywood mansion is a bit depressing as he pines for the estranged Miss Piggy, but they soon are reunited and all is right with the world again. Ultimately, it’s refreshing to see a good old fashioned kids’ movie that doesn’t rely too heavily on computer generated effects and obnoxious characters. If you’re looking for a solid amount of entertainment and a sentimental trip down memory lane, you can’t go wrong with “The Muppets” this holiday season.
