David Baldwin reviews the new Muppets movie
by David Baldwin
It’s been a long time since The Muppets were at the heart of popular culture. Their last cinematic feature was well over a decade ago (the lacklustre Muppets From Space), and an attempt to relaunch their TV show in the late 90s lasted two rather average seasons. Things had definitely come a long way away from the days when Jim Henson’s colourful puppets ruled the airwaves.
So as superfan Jason Segel unleashes a brand new Muppet Movie in these cynical, advertising-led days of iPhones, PSPs and Spongebobs, you have to wonder whether a bunch of fluffy felt puppets can once again capture the imagination of both adults and children?
The answer, pleasingly, has to be a resounding yes. And you have to give credit for that to Segel, who personally petitioned Disney to make the film and ensures that the heart and joie de vivre of Jim Henson stays at the centre of the story, largely thanks to an entirely new Muppet – Walter, an innocent abroad who’s one of the Muppets’ biggest fans and ends up helping Kermit and co. back into the spotlight.
To get an idea of how much The Muppets means to Segel, consider the fact that during the first proper read through of the script, he almost burst into tears when Kermit first spoke. He’s said that they were a massive part of his childhood, and now he wants to introduce Fozzy, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Animal, Beaker, the Swedish Chef and all their fellow Muppets to a new generation as they reunite to put on a show to save their old theatre, featuring singing, dancing, chickens and chickens who can sing and dance.
One of the best moves that Segel has made with this new Muppets move is that he doesn’t shy away from the fact that Kermit and the gang have faded in popularity. He positively embraces it, creating a world where innocent fare like The Muppets has been replaced with TV shows like the entirely plausible sounding ‘Punch Teacher’. And then there are ‘the Moopets’, a bunch of cheap rip-offs playing a Las Vegas casino who have the likes of ‘Miss Poogy’ and ‘Kermoot’ in their ranks.
Of course, what would a Muppet movie be without celebrity cameos? Past movies have featured the likes of John Cleese, Steve Martin and Orson Welles (?!), and this new Muppet adventure is no different. We don’t want to ruin all of them for you, but expect the likes of Jack Black and Dave Grohl to join the anarchy on screen, many of them performing the horribly catchy ‘Mahna Mahna’ song during the end credits.
Everyone, whether critic or audience member, seems agreed that this is a fantastic return to form for The Muppets, and having already established itself as the highest grossing film in the entire series, we definitely won’t have to wait another decade before we see them again.
Welcome back, Kermit.
The Electric Cinema
0121 643 7879
47-49 Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY
www.theelectric.co.uk
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