Starring James Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, and The Muppet Performers
Directed by James Bobin
Music and Lyrics by Bret McKenzie
Though Disney bought the Muppets in 2004, they didn't really do much with them until Segal came to them with a script in 2008. Even then, it wasn't until 2010 that it all really came together. The Muppet Company had been trying for years to do another Muppet movie, but cute ideas like The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! never came to pass. When this came out, it was a massive hit, suddenly throwing the Muppets back into the limelight much as they are in the film. Was this renewed attention deserved, or should this show be left back in the 70's? Let's start with the close relationship between Gary (Segal) and his Muppet brother Walter (voice of Peter Lintz) through the years and find out...
The Story: Walter, a Muppet among humans, is the ultimate Muppet Show fan. Gary adores him and can't deny him anything, even bringing him along to Los Angeles with him and his girlfriend of ten years Mary (Adams) to see the Muppet Studios. While there, Walter discovers a foul plot by greedy oil man Tex Richman (Cooper) to demolish the studio and drill for oil. He, Gary, and Mary tell Kermit (Steve Whitmire) at his mansion.
Determined to earn the 10 million needed to save the Studios, Kermit, Gary, Walter, and Mary round up the remaining Muppets...except Miss Piggy, who is busy in Paris. Even when she returns, they still need to build the theater and find a celebrity host. Walter feels inadequate around all of his talented idols...and Mary feels neglected when Gary spends more time with Walter and goes home. Even when the show goes on, thanks to celebrity callers, Richman is determined to do everything he can to keep the Muppets off the air for good. It takes a concentrated effort from Gary, Mary, and every Muppet made to show Walter that he does, indeed, have a talent...and that family is more than a theater, it's shared experiences and a place we belong.
The Song and Dance: No wonder this was such a hit in 2011. It's utterly charming and hilariously self-aware, spoofing "put on a show" musicals, long-time relationships, brotherly love, and even the Muppets themselves. Segal knew what he was doing. His Gary is an adorable goofball, only wanting to make his brother happy, and Adams is hilarious as the fiancee who is getting tired of waiting for him to put her first. Lintz's Walter is the heart of the film, so totally devoted to his beloved idols, and yet nervous about fitting in having been born in a world where he was the only Muppet. Great location shooting around LA too, especially with Disney's own El Capitan Theater standing in for the Muppet Theater, and there's the very funny retro candy-colored "Smalltown" sets in the opening.
The Numbers: We see Walter and Gary grow up together and how Walter became the Muppets' biggest fan in an opening montage to the Paul Simon song "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard." Our first original song introduces Mary and Smalltown in a massive, cheery chorus spoof of opening numbers in musicals, "Life's a Happy Song." Kermit laments the breaking up of the Muppets and admits he misses his friends in "Pictures In My Mind." Fozzie's with the Muppet imitations "The Moopets" at Reno, singing a really weird version of "Rainbow Connection." "We Built This City" gives us a montage of the Muppets, Gary, and Walter repairing the Muppet Theater while Kermit tries to get those celebrity callers.
Poor Mary, tired of being neglected, goes out for a "Me Party" at a local diner...which turns into a two-me party as Piggy joins in for a raucous disco spoof. Richman gives us a rap spoof of the ultimate wealthy bad guy in "Let's Talk About Me." Walter contemplates growing up in two words, and which one he belongs in, in the Oscar-winning "Man or Muppet?" We open the actual show with a recreation of "The Theme from The Muppet Show." Jack Black is right that a Muppet Barbershop Quartet of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a bit...odd. Camilla and her girls cluck "Forget You" in glittery costumes. We get a far more accurate "Rainbow Connection" reprise as all of the Muppets come together in a big finale in the theater. Outside, everyone reprises "Life's a Happy Song" after they see the throngs of Muppet fans. The credits end with one of the most infamous Muppet songs, the instrumental "Mah Na Mah Na."
Trivia: Look for Mickey Rooney, who knows a little something about "put on a show" musicals, during the opening "Life's a Happy Song" number.
After finishing the movie, the filmmakers gave Jason Segal the Muppet version of himself to keep.
Walter was apparently named for Walt Disney.
What I Don't Like: Some major fans of the Muppets (including some Muppeteers) questioned how the Muppets themselves were handled, and how the humans ended up in the spotlight. Pretty much every Muppet project since the death of Jim Henson has come under scrutiny for not being like the originals, and this is no exception. There's a few beats that seem off and a little bit of off-color humor that is a bit out-of-place, especially during the "let's get everyone together" montage.
The Big Finale: No wonder this was so popular. This mostly manages to find a way to make the Muppets look fresh, while still respecting what made us love them in the first place. Highly recommended for Muppet fans like Walter and me and those looking for a fun musical for older elementary school kids.
Home Media: Easily found on all formats, including Disney Plus with a subscription.
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