…you don’t need to be that funny

Although there’s no cabin fever or professional pirates in the newest Muppet movie, The Muppets. There’s still that element of muppety flavor that is in its own way irresistible.

It’s hard to replace Tim Curry, but Jason Segel and Amy Adams do just fine. There’s just about everything anyone could ever hope for (and expect) from any Muppet movie.

There are large dance numbers, one-liners breaking the fourth wall (though perhaps not as much as true diehards would appreciate), the whole cast of Kermit and the gang, and also cameos from a surprising amount of well-to-do actors including Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, Neal Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Rico Rodriguez (Manny from Modern Family), Jim Parsons (Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory) and yet some unnamed.

Jason Segel and his puppet brother grow up obsessed with the Muppets. When Jason Segel decides to take his girlfriend (Amy Adams) to Los Angeles, his brother Walter ends up by their side, very anxious to finally explore the Muppet Studios. However, upon arriving they discover it has been run down and the Muppet gang has all separated.

Chris Cooper plays the maniacal antagonist trying to destroy the studio for the want of the oil that he claims is underneath it (he performs a pretty hip rap number). In a desperate attempt to save the studio Walter and Jason Segel search for Kermit in order to track down the crew and save their reputation by raising 10 million dollars.

It’s been several years since the last Muppet movie was released and even longer since the show was on the air. Perhaps Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, The Chef, Fozzie and the rest are getting a bit old?

It’s true, this newest installment to their repertoire is a bit hazy on the fame and “snap funny” that they used to have, but it’s still the Muppets and there’s still catchy songs, even if not as much as cabin fever from Muppet Treasure Island.

It’s a refreshing reprieve from anything too heavy like anything regarding tattooed dragons or pearl earrings and it just reminds you of the good old days of Fraggle Rock. I give this movie three out of five stars.