If, like me, you grew up with The Muppet Show, these little fuzzy felt characters will always hold a place in your heart. And if that's the case, the new Muppets movie gives you everything you could possibly want. A heartwarming backstory, perfectly pitched so that innocence overrules sentimentality thanks to the performances of Number One Muppet fan (and co-screenwriter) Jason Segel and Amy Adams and the songwriting talents of FotC star Bret McKenzie. Well-chosen celebrity guests (including Alan Arkin, Kristen Schaal and Jack Black - giving his best performance in years). A sneering villain with a maniacal laugh (Chris Cooper - he raps too). A Muppets tribute act featuring Dave Grohl filling in for Animal. And most of all... the gang themselves, doing what they always did best: putting on a show.
So we get Kermit fighting to maintain a brave face while everything falls apart around his little green ears. Miss Piggy being a stuck-up sow (in Paris, naturellement). Fozzie being hugely unfunny. The Swedish Chef going 'durstyburstywursty'. The chickens singing Cee-Lo Green. Gonzo jumping off a roof. (Actually, I could have done with more Gonzo.) Stadler & Waldorf being sarcastic old grumps. Beaker going 'mee-mee'... in a barbershop quartet rendition of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. In short, everything we laughed at till we weed 30 years ago... updated slightly with contemporary references, but not a jot of contemporary cynicism.
If you love the Muppets, you'll feel like a child again. If you don't love the Muppets... can I suggest medical help?
