The Muppets
for some mild rude humor.
Reviewed by: Daniel Thompson
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Kids Family |
| Genre: | Musical Kids Family Comedy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 38 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2011 |
| USA Release: |
November 23, 2011 (wide—3,300+ theaters) DVD: March 20, 2012 |
music in the Bible
| Featuring |
Jason Segel … Gary Amy Adams … Mary Chris Cooper … Tex Richman Alan Arkin … Tour Guide Zach Galifianakis … Hobo Joe Emily Blunt … Miss Piggy’s Receptionist Neil Patrick Harris John Krasinski Rashida Jones … CDE Executive Steve Whitmire … Kermit/Beaker/Statler/Rizzo (voice) Eric Jacobson … Miss Piggy/Fozzie Bear/Animal/Sam Eagle/Marvin Suggs (voice) Dave Goelz … Gonzo/Dr. Bunsen Honeydew/Zoot/Beauregard/Waldorf/Kermit Moopet (voice) Ken Jeong … ’Punch Teacher’ Host See all » |
| Director |
James Bobin |
| Producer |
Mandeville Films Muppets Studio Walt Disney Pictures See all » |
| Distributor |
“They’re closer than you think.”
While I’m not quite old enough to remember much about the original “Muppet Show”, the muppets were still a tradition in my house as a kid. One of my fondest childhood memories is when my mom, dad, brother, and I would gather around our small television and brand new (hand-me-down) VCR to watch a recorded version of “The Muppets Take Manhattan”. We must have watched that film dozens of times, along with other muppet classics like “The Great Muppet Caper” and “The Muppet Movie”. With Fozzie’s bad jokes, Animal’s drum playing, and Kermit’s “never fail” attitude, there was a muppet, and a joke, for every kid (and adult). It is a shame that the last two decades of children have not had the pleasure of seeing the muppets in all their low-tech, quirky glory. Never fear muppet fans, because the muppets are back and better than ever.
In the new film, simply titled “The Muppets”, Gary (Jason Segel) and his brother Walter (who, coincidentally, happens to look just like a muppet) grew up like many children from the 70s and 80s: adoring the muppets. Gary decides to take Walter and his long term girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) to Los Angeles to see the old Muppet studio and take a tour of the place. They arrive to find that, just like almost all of America, no one in Los Angeles seems to care about the Muppets anymore. The place is barren and is about to be destroyed by the menacing Tex Richman (Chris Cooper). The only way to save the studio is for Walter, Gary, and Mary to find Kermit and the rest of the gang, and have them put on a show to save the studio. This sets the plot in motion that will hopefully lead to a saved studio, a return of popularity for the muppets, and lots of zany fun and musical numbers along the way.
When word got out that Disney was planning to return Jim Henson’s Muppets to the big screen, no one could have expected Jason Segel, the star of such R rated films as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, to helm the project. It turns out that Segel is a long time Muppets fan, and his reverence for the franchise shows in the film. The only disappointing thing to report is that the voice of Frank Oz is not on display in the movie.
Everything about “The Muppets” is spot on, and it will make many adults feel like they are eight years old all over again. From the ironic, quirky musical numbers to the melodramatic love of Kermit and Miss Piggy, this film was made for every fan of the original muppets, as well as children of all ages. The actors ham it up appropriately. Amy Adams (“Enchanted”) is no stranger to musicals, and her great singing voice is utilized here. Chris Cooper is hilariously over the top as the villain, Tex Richman. Cameos by Jack Black, Alan Arkin, Zach Galifianakis, and many more are a welcome addition to the already excellent cast of humans and puppets.
One of the best things about the Muppets, that is still true in this new film, is their values. While most modern children’s movies are high tech and heavy on comedy and slapstick humor, “The Muppets” has heart at its center. The message of the muppets has always been sincere, not cynical: be yourself, respect others, and it’s okay if you’re different. This message is such a great one that still rings true, even from the mouths of fuzzy puppets.
There are a few minor content issues, like some mild bathroom humor and one use of “butt” and “heck”, but, overall, “The Muppets” is good clean fun for the whole family.
At the screening I attended, it was clear that adults in the audience enjoyed “The Muppets” even more than their children did. That’s not to say that the children were not enjoying themselves. It’s hard to compare, though, to the many adults who were transported back to their childhood living room floors, watching a grainy television set come alive with muppets of all shapes and sizes. As I left the theater, I selfishly hoped that children would grasp on to these characters, just as I did as a child, so that I could have a reason to go back to the theater for more adventures with my old friends, “The Muppets.”
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
All in all one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen in some time. I recommend this movie to all ages.
Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
There are some 80’s references that will go over the kids” heads, but they are not inappropriate… more nostalgic for the adults.
…One thing to note, the main human characters were boyfriend and girlfriend (not married), and they were taking a trip together to LA to celebrate their anniversary. In the few scenes that took place in the hotel room, there were two separate beds. However, there was NO sexual innuendo or suggestive language at all. There was a scene where a celebrity host was kidnapped and tied up, but it was done with a lot of humor, not violence. The same for the few “fight” scenes. I think we all know that Ms. Piggie goes—-Hi-YAH! and karate chops things, and in this movie she also jumped on a character and wrapped her legs around his neck/face as she “Hi-Yah’ed” him.
I admit, I tend to be pretty conservative with what movies I allow my children to watch, but I had NO CONCERNS with this movie. (I actually have no idea why it wasn’t rated G). It was a great family film that we all enjoyed. The message was very positive—working together, believing in yourself, and having self-confidence. I would highly recommend it.
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
But by the end of the movie, you will be crying tears of joy for a group of friends that happen to be bears, and pigs, and frogs, and rock-n-roll bands, and dogs, and whatevers. I believe that it has a good, yet secular worldview, as shown by “Life’s a Happy Song” (the big musical number of the film). Although it does have some comic violence and rude humor (“fart shoes” on Fozzie Bear), it’s really a great Thanksgiving treat for the whole family.
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
I grew up with the Muppet movies and TV show, and I knew the movie would be GREAT, and it was. My favorite part about the movie was that it was meant for the whole family. I didn’t notice one bad comment. It was clean the whole way through. Disney did a great job, and I recommend it for ever age. It will make you laugh and smile.
Don’t miss the last outstanding family movie of the year. I hope you enjoy THE MUPPETS!! God bless.
Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: ½
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
The 1st hour was funny, but it did slow down a little after that. I think it could have been easily rated G, so you should feel comfortable taking any age.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 3½