Just got back from Muppets Most Wanted, which is frankly too plot-driven for a Muppet movie. Now, let me explain, every Muppet movie has a plot, but its usually just basic enough so that these movies can do what they do best: let the Muppets be the Muppets (they are delightful characters, childhood staples of mine even). But, the plot in this movie even makes the Muppets themselves look dumber than they actually are just to serve the plot (most of them have always been naive and a little simple-minded, but never dumb enough not to realize that Kermit is speaking with a Russian accent). It still provides plenty of the good stuff weve all come to love about the Muppets: the cheesy puns, the self-referential humor, the earnestly over-the-top musical numbers which even the bad guys get (theres an interrogation number that for me was the highlight, also a brilliant rendition of a song from A Chorus Line), the blink-and-youll-miss celebrity cameos (a few of them a bit more substantial) and just the usual wacky behavior from our favorite characters (Kermit the Frog directing a show in prison, Gonzo wanting to run bulls inside the theater, Miss Piggy anxious to get married). It also features three comedians Im always happy to see in anything: Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy from Modern Family) doing his best impression of Inspector Clousseau while trying to crack a case with Sam the Eagle, Tina Fey as a Broadway-loving Russian gulag guard (who is stuck with some awful message-giving speeches, but shes got one killer voice) and Ricky Gervais.... well, pretty much being Ricky Gervais as a villains sidekick and having a hell of a time with it. I just wish this film had the heart that Jason Segels Muppet movie did (that one was clearly a labor of love) and the plot didnt get in the way of everything we love about these characters. Its a good time at the movies, but not the kind of sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational weve come to expect from these beloved characters (PS: if youve never seen a Muppet movie, or an episode of the Muppet Show, then.... go see one right now!!!!)
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 04:00:32 +0000
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