A review of 'The Muppets'

Is there anybody of about my age who didn’t grow up loving the Muppets? If like me, the Muppets were an intrinsic part of your childhood you’ll be delighted to hear about the release of their most recent film.

Now showing in cinemas in the South Wales area is the much awaited movie ‘The Muppets’. It’s the first Muppets film in 12 years and if you enjoyed ‘The Muppets Christmas Carol’ and the superb ‘Muppets Treasure Island’ this film won’t let you down. Without wanting to give away too much, the plot centres around the Muppets, including Kermit the frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and Animal to name but a few, organising a telethon to raise money to save their theatre from Tex Richman, an oil magnate, and his cohorts Bobo the Bear and Uncle Deadly who want to destroy the Muppet theatre and drill for oil underneath! The part of the film where Kermit and Walter are searching for the gang and coaxing them to reunite is pure nostalgia as it mirrors the events of The Muppet Movie.  

The movie stars famous actors such as Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and Jack Black. There are also cameo roles for Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) and Whoopi Goldberg playing herself. Amy Adams is particularly delightful in her role but all of the cast are enthusiastic and seem genuinely pleased to be involved in the movie. Their fervour and passion win through even when, and this is very rarely, the joke falls flat or the plot wears thin. (I can think of only one joke that falls flat or one occasion when the plot wears thin!) 

There is something in this movie for everyone, catchy songs, a humorous and entertaining script and lots of laughs along the way. All of the audience, me included, was laughing out loud for most of the 103 minutes. 

After some time away from the limelight, the Muppets are back. They are like a breath of fresh air in a cynical world and with this heartwarming tale; they remind us that the world can be a great and friendly place.