The Muppets
Directed by James Bobin
Distributed by Disney
Despite 1999’s underwhelming Muppets From Space, the Muppets are returning to the big screen and expectations are running high.
Updating a series is always difficult, especially with expectations from the studio and fans.
Some fans of the perennial Jim Henson creations were worried when it was announced that How I Met Your Mother star Jason Segel would be at the helm of the production. Fans were fearful he wouldn’t stay true to the characters and their personalities, or worse — he just wouldn’t be funny.
They were wrong.
Segel’s love for the film series and for the characters explodes throughout the movie. The script, co-written by Nicholas Stoller, tells the story of Gary (Segel) and Walter, who happens to be a Muppet (voiced by Peter Linz). The two brothers grew up loving The Muppet Show and are its biggest fans, even as the rest of the world forgets about them. Amy Adams plays Gary’s supportive girlfriend Mary, who allows Walter to come along and visit the Muppet studios.
The plot takes off as Walter helps Kermit get the old gang back to save their beloved studios from oil baron Tex Richman by doing what they do best: putting on a show.
Director James Bobin’s kinetic, colourful approach fits the characters perfectly. Fans of the series will be pleased as he pays attention to possibly every notable character, and the action never gets tiring.
The movie goes by at a brisk pace, yet never feels like it’s rushing. Every scene is packed wall-to-wall with references, jokes, meta-humor and excellent musical numbers that keep everything fresh.
The movie also included a few musical highlights. Chris Cooper’s impromptu rap song and a particularly hilarious duet between Gary and Walter had the audience clapping mid-film. Throughout the film, Christophe Beck’s compositions underscore the action while complementing Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie’s original songs.
Explosions, fart jokes, film references and a few surprising moments of real emotional resonance make this a family comedy in the best way. While it’s a kid’s film, many, if not all, of the adults in attendance laughed just as much and just as loudly.
The film’s excellent use of celebrity cameos also works in its favour. Jack Black has a particular scene-stealing role (as himself), and Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Silverman, Emily Blunt, Donald Glover, Alan Arkin, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris among many others show up for hilarious one or two-liners.
Yet, the film`s biggest achievement is its exuberance. It takes on the cynicism in the entertainment world today with the trademark Muppet sense of fun.
Sometimes, we all need a good laugh, a good song, a lovely moment between a pig and a frog, and that is what The Muppets delivers.
