Films > Film Reviews

The Muppets

10/02/12

It’s time to start the music; it’s time to light the lights this month as the Muppets return to the big screen for another foam-n-felt epic adventure. In this eponymous comeback, our favourite heroes-on-sticks re-unite in the greatest reformation since the Blues Brothers got the band back together. Kermit and friends have an equally righteous mission - to save their old theatre which is under threat from an evil oil tycoon (Chris Cooper – American Beauty). That is provided that they can tear Miss Piggy away from editing Vogue.

Obviously, they are aided along the way by all of their friends, furry and human, although I am initially underwhelmed with the casting of the lead flesh-puppet, Jason Segal (Forgetting Sarah Marshall). Don’t get me wrong, I like him, but Muppet Treasure Island starred TIM CURRY for Fozzie’s sake, and who can forget the brilliant Michael Caine as Scrooge, giving some of the best acting the world has ever seen to, essentially, someone’s right hand!

The Muppets have always commanded industry kudos, so have they lost star power? In a world of CGI, is this the final gasp for hand-up-ass technology? Hell no, because they have charisma - something which is very hard to produce acting in front of a green screen to nothing, and the list of puppet friendly appearances is as long as Gonzo’s nose.

There are some fantastic cameos from a host of stars such as Alan Arkin, Whoopi Goldberg and my personal favourite, the wonderful Sarah Silverman (whom I would fight Animal just to get close to). These guys have ruled over big and small screens since 1976, and this is their re-introduction to a new generation. In answer to that old joke about what Kermit’s fingers smell of? Money, baby, money!