The Muppets (2011) directed by James Bobin
The great thing about The Muppets is that it isn't just a cheap gimmick out to make a quick buck. It is a well thought out, often hilarious, and always charming experience that old timers will watch with fond nostalgia while their young kids will watch Kermit and co with glee. The film is so good on its own merits that you don't really need to know who The Muppets are to appreciate it. I often found myself grinning from ear to ear at its exuberant silliness and wickedly funny jokes, not just aimed at little children, but the adults accompanying them. It's been a while since I've been so happy watching a movie. It's just a really fun experience.
The premise is pretty basic. The old Muppet Theatre is going to be destroyed by a rich oil tycoon unless the Muppets can come up with $10 million. Gary (Jason Segal), his lovely girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), and Walter, Gary's muppet brother, embark on a journey to round up the old Muppet gang to save the theater. What do they want to do? Do one last show together on live TV to raise the funds. The only problem is that the Muppets haven't performed together in years and are scattered all over the place. They must reconnect with each other and ultimately themselves to give the show of their lives.
The Muppets is a surprisingly intelligent film. Rather than just have a wacky adventure together (though the film is plenty wacky) the film deals with their place in society now. In this way the film is very self aware. The Muppets are no longer famous or relavent. They've become a bunch of B list celebrities. Much of the film deals with the characters re-evaluating their circumstances in life. Kermit lives by himself in his lonely mansion, poor Fozzie Bear is doing local gigs in dingy bars in Reno. Perhaps they miss the spotlight but as it turns out they really miss each other. They are family.
The film wouldn't really be complete without its human stars. I particularly liked Amy Adams, a personal favorite of mine since watching her in Enchanted. She is so sweet and bubbly here and when she breaks into song, it is hysterical. Speaking of which, all the songs, aside from an unfortunate Chris Cooper rap, are very good. There is one particularly hilarious song that almost had me in tears.
One of the funnest movie going experiences of the year. And a Pixar short at the beginning was a very pleasant and entertaining surprise.
Grade: A-
The great thing about The Muppets is that it isn't just a cheap gimmick out to make a quick buck. It is a well thought out, often hilarious, and always charming experience that old timers will watch with fond nostalgia while their young kids will watch Kermit and co with glee. The film is so good on its own merits that you don't really need to know who The Muppets are to appreciate it. I often found myself grinning from ear to ear at its exuberant silliness and wickedly funny jokes, not just aimed at little children, but the adults accompanying them. It's been a while since I've been so happy watching a movie. It's just a really fun experience.
The premise is pretty basic. The old Muppet Theatre is going to be destroyed by a rich oil tycoon unless the Muppets can come up with $10 million. Gary (Jason Segal), his lovely girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), and Walter, Gary's muppet brother, embark on a journey to round up the old Muppet gang to save the theater. What do they want to do? Do one last show together on live TV to raise the funds. The only problem is that the Muppets haven't performed together in years and are scattered all over the place. They must reconnect with each other and ultimately themselves to give the show of their lives.
The Muppets is a surprisingly intelligent film. Rather than just have a wacky adventure together (though the film is plenty wacky) the film deals with their place in society now. In this way the film is very self aware. The Muppets are no longer famous or relavent. They've become a bunch of B list celebrities. Much of the film deals with the characters re-evaluating their circumstances in life. Kermit lives by himself in his lonely mansion, poor Fozzie Bear is doing local gigs in dingy bars in Reno. Perhaps they miss the spotlight but as it turns out they really miss each other. They are family.
The film wouldn't really be complete without its human stars. I particularly liked Amy Adams, a personal favorite of mine since watching her in Enchanted. She is so sweet and bubbly here and when she breaks into song, it is hysterical. Speaking of which, all the songs, aside from an unfortunate Chris Cooper rap, are very good. There is one particularly hilarious song that almost had me in tears.
One of the funnest movie going experiences of the year. And a Pixar short at the beginning was a very pleasant and entertaining surprise.
Grade: A-
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