The Muppets

Audience Reviews

View More

Harry S Jan 26, 2019 Walter is a fan of the Muppets. Actually, one might be more inclined to label him as a Muppet super fan. To the point where it could be considered obsessive. Let's face it, folks . . . Walter is fast approaching the "get me to a psychologist NOW" territory. So when a rich oil baron decides he's going to tear down Muppet studios in order to reach the oil beneath, it's up to Walter, his brother Gary (Jason Segel), and Gary's girlfriend (Amy Adams) to help Kermit the Frog reunite the Muppet gang and hold a telethon to save their studio. It's a solid premise and the Muppet players are welcome back on the big screen. However, the production is not without its problems. First and foremost, in my opinion, are the musical performances. Most of the songs are instantly forgettable and only serve to slow up an otherwise tightly paced motion picture. Even the return of "The Rainbow Connection" feels out of place; like a carbon copy of the original performed by a well-meaning cover band who just can't quite hit the right notes. "Life's a Happy Song" is particularly repugnant with its exceedingly cutesy attempts at charming its audience. Most of the music in this film has neither the toe-tapping catchiness of "Can You Picture That" nor the heart of "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" that imbued the original 1979 Muppet outing with such warmth and memorability. Only Kermit himself comes out looking like a frog prince with his sincere-sounding "Pictures in My Head." The choice of human actors left me a bit befuddled as well. Neither Segel nor Chris Cooper (as the oil baron) really added anything with their presence. Any actor could have been shoved into their roles and had about as much lasting effect. Jack Black is the only real exception to that rule, playing a kidnapped celebrity the Muppets use as guest host of their telethon. Black plays off his captors beautifully, especially during the "Head Bowling" routine and the barbershop quartet sequence. At least the Muppets are the Muppets we have always loved and enjoyed. They have the same crisp, witty dialogue that has made them enjoyable for more than four decades now. Even Walter makes an amiable addition to the Muppet family by the end of the film. Leaving aside the songs and the human performers, this movie is still strong enough to be the best Muppet film since Gonzo the Great donned the duds of Charles Dickens in 1992. With the nostalgia factor ramped up to maximum and an admirable moral of believing in yourself, "The Muppets" - for the most part - delivered a fresh and wholesome alternative to the kind of "Fast and Furious" bombast and "Saw" gruesomeness that audiences had been subjected to on a near-regular basis. It's nice to know that Jim Henson's greatest creations can still find a place for themselves in the cinematic world. See more

Jun 18, 2018 Thrilled to see the return of The Muppets, I enthusiastically visited my local theater on opening day! Jason Segal, a self-described Muppets fanatic, co-wrote and produced this revival of my childhood. While the script isn't very polished, the story is adorable and a perfect modern representation of these characters. After the boring "Muppets in Space" from the late 90s, I was thrilled to see these characters treated with such love. The numerous "4th Wall" we're cute, especially when they were self-deprecating, but I think it was a bit overdone. The flow of the film was very choppy, but much of it intentional. Kids and adults alike should absolutely love it. See more

Luke S May 27, 2018 You can't help but root for it; the cameos are fun (especially those which were cut) but corny jokes abound

Poe W Feb 28, 2018 What seemed to me like a nice return of the crew that gave puppetry a whole new meaning. Need I say more?

Leia G Jan 13, 2018 he's the best friend you could ever have.. The Muppets From all the throwback to all the cameos, The Muppets is a single minded movie that is not only for the kids but for all the fans that grew up watching them. See more

Ron W Dec 7, 2017 I didn't grow up with the muppets or anything, so feel free to hate my review, but I still didn't like it...

Read all reviews

The Muppets

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING