Movie Reviews

The Muppets 2011

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Written by Jonathan Jacobs

Ironically, Jason Segel wrote and produced The Muppets but he is the least enjoyable part of the show. We love you Jason but for the love of show tunes spare us from having to hear you bellow out cheesy songs all movie long. Amy Adams is her typical charming and cute self. She is sort of the anti-Hollywood actress; sweet and charming and talented and bland. Steve Whitmire (the voice of Kermit and others), Dave Goelz (the voice of Gonzo and others), and Erik Jacobson (Ms. Piggy, Fozzy and others) demonstrate professional vocal talent. They do a wonderful job bringing Henson's voice box back to life. Jack Black and Zach Galifianakis are freaking hilarious. Black has a unique talent for portraying himself as loudly tortured. All Galifianakis has to do is sit down in front of a camera and we all laugh.

The Muppets is a movie that personifies puppets mired in inventive lunacy, which by the way may perfectly describe the overactive mind of yours truly. By my count nearly every one of the old gang is brought back to the big screen. When Walter (Peter Linz) realizes his lifelong dream is to be a part of the Muppets, his brother Gary (Segel) supports him in every way possible. Little does Gary realize his fascination with his "brother" Walter causes his wonderful girlfriend Mary (Adams) to be neglected and ignored. A great deal of the film's focus is on Mary and Gary's troubled romance. Meanwhile, Walter makes it his goal to find the wayward Muppets, to coalesce them and to reignite their careers.

This is no easy task for Fozzie Bear is homeless. Miss Piggy is a fashion designer whose bumptious British babe (alliteration zing!) of a sexretary (played by Emily Blount) hangs on her every whim. Kermit is more like hermit the frog living in isolation. Gonzo is a wealthy industrialist, etc, etc, etc. It is up to Walter to recreuit the Muppets one by one and convince them to reunite before the world forgets them. The movie is more than anything about their reunion and telethon to save their old stomping grounds. PS, Kermit loves Ms. Piggy, pass it on. Standing in the way of their goal is oil megalomaniac Tex Richman (Chris Cooper). Richman loves to sing, dance, and to drill for oil...ohhhhh how savage!

Overall, The Muppets is like the plot, a beautiful reunion. The Muppets bring out the childish nature in all of us. There is so much nostalgia and humor to enjoy for all audiences. This production, Segel's horrible singing aside is a masterpiece. Cherish it, watch it, buy it...on Blu-ray or DVD today!

Jonathan Jacobs

Member Florida Film Critics Circle

www.screenspotlight.com

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