What can I possibly say about The Muppets besides praise? I mean really, you can’t speak negatively of puppeteer Jim Henson’s beloved creations that spanned a popular television show as well as a number of successful movies. And why would you, honestly? They’re completely harmless and so in their latest cinematic outing (simply titled “The Muppets,” directed by James Bobin) you get what you pay for and if you’re not satisfied then you’ve gone to wrong movie. Bobin’s direction is energetic and he stages every song and dance number fantastically.
Yes, the whole thing from start to finish is silly and ridiculous but seriously? What do you expect? We’re talking about a world where miniature cloth puppets coexist with humans with no questions asked. And the movie is funny, mostly because they make fun of themselves and the fact that their humor is a tad outdated (Fozzie Bear’s “wocka wocka” jokes).
All the original Muppets are back. The ring leader Kermit the Frog, his on again off again girlfriend Ms. Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Swedish Chef, those two old guys who heckle the rest of the Muppets and many many more. With the addition of a brand new Muppet named Walter, they’re all a delight to watch.
Even more so are the human actors. Jason Segal as Walter’s older brother (I wonder which parent is Muppet?) is perfectly jolly the whole way through, his girlfriend played by Amy Adams hits her high notes like a Disney princess and major props go to Chris Cooper as the movie’s main bad guy Tex Richman, who does the diabolical villain act straight and even goes the extra mile when he performs a rap. Not to mention the dozens of celebrities that make their way onto the screen, from Jack Black to Alan Arkin, who all look like they’re having the time of their lives.
I’m not sure how well “The Muppets” will do against other animated films. There’s nothing wrong with the movie but I have a feeling only fans will go see it. But The Muppets have nothing to lose. What they don’t make in box office bucks they will easily make in merchandising sales. I’m sure thousands of kids will beg their parents to go out and buy them a Kermit the Frog or Ms. Piggy doll.
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