The Muppets (2011) - 7 stars out of 10
It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet (Movie) tonight! The Muppets are BACK! I was enjoying this film far before it was released into theaters. The teaser trailer with Jason Segal and Amy Adams, painting the film out to be a chick flick and then throwing in the Muppets, was an incredible attention getter!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX07sTSHiTs)
It is magic to see Kermit on the big screen again, for the first time since the disappointing "Muppets In Space" was on the screen in 1999. I was really thrilled with the story and feel that this is the best Muppet movie to date (well, aside from "The Muppet Christmas Carol," which will never be matched). At first, I was worried at the "kiddiness" and that there wouldn't be much for adults in the film, but it only took about 15 minutes to reassure me. They pay homage to prior Muppet installments by using The Rainbow Connection (good luck not getting chills during that one), throwing in tons of cameos, revisiting the old Muppet Theater, and poking fun at the prior Muppet films in the process (travelling "by map" to speed up the travel and using a montage to make the cleaning more interesting). It is full of "maniacal laughs" and great visual gags like the choir in the van behind Kermit. Most importantly, it is fun! They chose great comic actors to tie this film together, like Jason Segel and Amy Adams. Rashida Jones had great spunkiness as the ABC executive and how can you resist the countless cameos. My favorite cameo was undoubtedly Jack Black, though Emily Blunt was very memorable as Miss Piggy's secretary and Jim Parsons will give you a laugh-out-loud moment as the human Walter. There are a few moments of "too many songs in a row," but at least these original songs by Bret McKenzie provide quality entertainment, particularly "Man or Muppet." I also love how they mixed in pop songs from We Built This City to Forget You! It is easy to try to analyze this movie for its cinematic quality but in the end, the Muppets make magic on the screen again and will take you back to your childhood. Even though I never wanted this movie to end, I can't remember the last time that I enjoyed the ending credits this much - NOW GO AND RELIVE YOUR CHILDHOOD!
Yes! I agree with most of your review - the cameos were great, loved Chris Cooper as always, wonderful "Man or Muppet," and Emily Blunt's reprise was perfect. But really, Jonny, how could you rate Austin Powers an 8, and this a 7? Yes, I agree that The Muppet Christmas Carol is the absolute best, but you must have something against these little furry guys if you could rate the original Muppet Movie only a 5, and this one only a 7. I'd give it a 9.5. Ma-nah-ma-nah...
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