It’s the Muppets…Again!: a review of “Muppets Most Wanted”
Details –
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- Rating: Rated PG for some mild action
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Synopsis –
What’s green, plays drums, has a lot of chickens, and now has a sequel? If you’re thinking of KISS shooting a movie in front of a green screen in a farm, then you’re almost correct, but NO! It’s The Muppets! Well folks, it’s now “official” that they’re back and here to stay, due to ‘popular demand’. Now the question is (like any sequel) is this sequel worth watching? I’ll let you decide on that as you read this Muppet of a review.Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon.
Taking place directly after “The Muppets” movie, which describes the reuniting of the Muppets group, “Muppets Most Wanted” brings the gang on a global tour, selling out exciting venues in places such as Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, and London, building up their reputation along the way… Or so they thought. They find chaos when they are unwittingly caught between the cross fires of Constantine – the world’s most dangerous frog- and his sidekick Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) on a plot to steal the Crown Jewels.
The film seems to be another Muppets movie you can watch, buy the DVD, and leave on the shelf. Not to say that it was it was bad; most movies end up there including the classics, like Titanic, Good Will Hunting, and The King’s Speech, but those don’t collect dust – this one just might. “Muppets Most Wanted” did not strike me as memorable as “The Muppets”, though it does live up to the Muppets franchise legacy, which I have grown to love.
Speaking of the franchise, what I loved about this movie is that it held on to “The Muppet Element”, which, to describe it, is the way a Muppet story is told: ridiculous adventures, heartfelt themes, fun filled humor, and each distinct mien the members of the Muppets hold are expressed in this current Muppet movie, derived from other classic Muppet movies “Muppets in Space” or “Muppets Wizard of Oz”. Considering this, I think this makes “Muppets Most Wanted” a new, small, clean cog added onto the well oiled machine we see running today which are the Muppets.
This film is perfect for an evening with the kids and it had an awesome soundtrack, connecting fluidly and effectively with the story, progressing it; but what took the cake for me was the sense of humor, which (if I do say so myself) had me laughing my ‘Wocka’ off. Also adding to the topic of humor, I had the pleasure of listening to the producers and cast of the “Muppets Most Wanted” in a Q & A session, and what both parties constantly nudged about in this movie was its humor, that (in the words of Ricky Gervais) “It doesn’t patronize kids. It doesn’t aim at an audience here”.
The lack of ‘grandness’ I felt in this movie may also prove to be an asset towards the franchise itself. “The Muppets” movie became huge because of its idea: the comeback of the Muppets. This film, however, shines a light on who the Muppets truly are, going back to the classic Muppet movies, showing that they never changed, opening a door and bringing back “The Muppet Element” to this generation and the ones before, creating a Rainbow Connection between adults, and the children sitting next to them.
This review was written by Lance Cruzado, Walt Disney Studios writer for DisneyExaminer.com. All reviews are personal opinions and may not reflect the attitudes of other writers for DisneyExaminer.com unless stated otherwise.
These films have been screened prior to the release date for review purposes and therefore are viewed without charge by The Walt Disney Studios.