While I shy away from nostalgic things (because nothing can top my memory of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show), I like nostalgia from certain sources and, being in the right mood, gave the new Muppet movie a whirl. And it was a hell of a great way to unwind. While some things were laid on heavily and non-cameo actors came off really hokey, that was the point, wasn’t it?Regardless of general hokey-ness, the movie, which is Jason Segel’s baby (actor, producer, and cowriter of the movie), centers around about four plots. First, there’s Walter (that new puppet from the trailers). Then, there’s Walter’s brother Gary (Segel) and his relationship with Mary (Amy Adams). Next, there’s Kermit and Miss Piggy’s problematic love life. Finally and most important plot wise, there’s the struggle to get all the muppets together so that they can save their livelihood, the Muppet Studios.
Some of these plots are wrapped up in anticlimactic ways. Don’t go if you’re looking for any poetic plot. That said, the writing was amazing. The movie has a more adult feel. The writers took the relations between the Muppets more seriously, like when Kermit finds Fozzie. Also, there are darker jokes throughout for the adults. There’s plenty for the young’uns to laugh at (Fozzie’s fart shoes). Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the singing throughout.
While it’s tough to call puppets actors, the voice work was top notch, even with the master voice of Jim Henson missing. Again, live actors were hokey, but that’s just the requirement of working with the Muppets. And this hokey-ness was vital in this movie. I mentioned the darker jokes, but didn’t mention the super serious emotions the Muppets had to portray. For instance, Fozzie is treated horribly and when Kermit apologizes for not being a good friend, the viewer remembers how much one has missed those lovable Muppets.Now, I shan’t spoil too many cameos, but Mickey Rooney was one of my personal favorites. Some cameos were a little off, but they were faces some of the younger ones would like. Selena Gomez, for example.
My last thought about the execution of the film is that they really stepped up the believability of Muppets interacting with physical things. Kermit’s felt fingers played a few piano notes and I forgot his fingers could really not do such things for the briefest second.
So let’s get to the meat now that the potatoes are gone. Would a Well That’s Cooligan recommend this movie?
F$&@ yeah! It’s the Muppets! All my gripes are nothing in the long term. Do yourself a favor and see this movie.
9/10 Cooligans
Next week, The Immortals. Or Sherlock Holmes.