THE MUPPETS
PG
103 min
Director: James Bobin
Writers: Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller
Stars: Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Chris Cooper
Cast (Non-Muppets)
Jason Segel.......................Gary
Amy Adams........................Mary
Chris Cooper..........Tex Richman
Rashida Jones...Veronica Martin
I watched LABYRINTH
(1986) for the first time in July of 2007 (theatrical re-release). Walking out of the theater, I remember thinking a couple of things:
- That suit David Bowie was wearing doesn't leave much to the imagination.
- How happy I was, I had huge a grin on my face. Jim Henson penetrated through my very soul; that inner child that's in most of us. And for just one moment, all seemed right with the world.
In the age of DORA THE EXPLORER and PHINEAS & FERB, it's easy forget about things like 'THE MUPPETS' and 'HOWDY DOODY'. Henson was responsible for: THE DARK CRYSTAL, LABRYRINTH, NINJA TURTLES, MUPPET BABIES, SESAME STREET, DINOSAURS (TV), AND FRAGILE ROCK. I liked these shows and movies. But Jim Henson is no 'King Midas' incarnate: he is responsible for two, yes two 'MUPPETS AND JOHN DENVER' specials.
Dr. Seuss and Jim Henson died when I was a kid. All my childhood heroes are dead: John Candy, Chris Farley, Tupac Shakur...all of them.
Written entirely by Jason Segel; Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a flawed, romantic comedy that had its moments. One moment I enjoyed was the Dracula puppet, rock-opera: A Taste for Love. Walking into this film, I knew this is a movie Jason Segel wanted to make. I figured worst-case scenario: this movie is 70 out of 100.
The Plot
They need to raise 10 million dollars to reopen the Muppet theater. To do this, the Muppets put on a fundraiser. Otherwise, Tex Richman gets to keep the property and drill the oil that is underneath.
Tex Richman (Cooper) is a caricature, but so is absolutely everyone else in this film. Chris Cooper always plays the same guy. Southernish, mid-western guy, don't take shit from nobody. Probably racist, but you don't know for sure. Plus, he has that whole, disapproving father vibe going on.
Kermit the Frog: "Hey, Rowlf, we're getting the gang back together."
Kind of reminds me of the BLUES BROTHERS (1980).
Lets see here:
Kermit is Dan Aykroyd.
Fozzy is John Belushi.
Miss Piggy is Aretha Franklin.
Rowlf the Dog is Ray Charles.
Janice is John Lee Hooker.
Tex Richman is John Candy.
Whoppi Goldberg is the main Nazi guy with the megaphone.
Veronica Martin is Catholic School nun.
'We all agreed, celebrities aren't people.'
You thought Jack Black was funny in KUNG FU PANDA.
Maybe...no?
Okay, now brace yourself: Jack black is actually funny in this. We first see him attending anger managment rehab with 'Animal'. Flashforward a couple scenes, The Muppets need a celebrity host for their fundraiser, so Jack Black is tied up and gagged, and put on stage.
Kermit the Frog: Guys, we can't kidnap Jack Black. That's illegal!
Fozzie Bear: What's more illegal, Kermit: briefly inconveniencing Jack Black, or destroying the Muppets?
Kermit the Frog: Kidnapping Jack Black!
Closing Remarks
Take it in, this is the last real life Muppet movie that is going to be made. Eventually, they will all become CGI. Perhaps you are already too late. I bet you Jason Segel doesn't even really exist. If Jim Henson were alive, he would give two thumbs up—to a Muppet movie he didn't make.
Final Verdict: 89 out of 100
Sidenote: In case you were wondering, yes, 'Swedish Chef' is in this movie, you better believe it.