My daughter grew up first with Sesame Street and then with The Muppet Show. So it was with a lot of nostalgic anticipation that I looked forward to seeing “The Muppets” and I wasn’t disappointed. This movie delivers in the same manner that I remember, but adds something new. The movie opens with a slow build to bringing the Muppets on screen by first introducing Jason Segel’s character, Gary, his brother, Walter (who looks a lot like a Muppet) and his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams). This technique helps us to realize just how much we’ve missed, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and the gang. And I hope that this movie marks a return for the Muppets. They’ve been missed.
Gary is taking Mary on a special trip to Los Angeles. Fearing that Walter will feel left out, he agrees to take him along, especially because Walter is a fan of the Muppets and this will allow him to see the Muppet Theater. But when they arrive, they find the facilities are a shell of their former grandeur and that a tycoon (Chris Cooper) intends to demolish the theater and drill for oil. The only way to save the place is to get the Muppets together for a fund-raising telethon. Kermit is the first Muppet that Gary, Walter and Mary approach and he’s cajoled into getting the gang back together. And as they round up everyone and start working on the show, the uniquely Muppet humor shines as celebrities continually pop up in cameos. And Kermit singing “Rainbow Connection” is certainly a high point. Kudos to Jason Segel and his writing partner Nicholas Stoller for writing the script and campaigning for the movie to be made. “The Muppet” movie works in so many ways. 11/24/11
1 comment:
The genius of the late Jim Henson is still evident in this Muppets musical comedy. It's been a while since the last Muppets film and the people still love them. Take your kids and grandkids and introduce them to this classic puppet show.
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