‘Flix Flick: The Muppets (2011)

(Sort of) In the tradition of 1980’s The Blues Brothers, where John Belushi’s Jake and Dan Aykroyd’s Elwood embark on a journey to get their band back together to save an orphanage, 2011’s The Muppets finds the TV producer and host, Kermit the Frog out to reunite his cast (and family) members one more time to save their home-base theater from an maniacal businessman. (“Maniacal laugh… maniacal laugh… maniacal laugh!!” You’ll get this when you see the film.)

This warm, delightful family film begins with a wonderful suspension of disbelief. Brothers Gary, a big and tall man played by Jason Segel, and Walter, a tiny, big-hearted Muppet, live in Smalltown, USA. They’re dedicated, loving siblings and there’s no need for explanation as to their physical differences, it just is. An escapist wink to classic 1950’s TV shows and movie musicals, the film embraces its own sense of optimism (especially in the smile-inducing musical number entitled, Life’s a Happy Song/I’ve Got Everything That I Need), yet is simultaneously aware of the unrealistic (and exhausting) nature of breaking into song and dancing in the streets.

Gary is in love with elementary school teacher Mary, played by Amy Adams, who once again oozes comforting, wide-eyed innocence on screen. After Gary sings and dances in the streets to Life’s a Happy Song/I’ve Got Everything That I Need, he visits Mary at school and gives her a wilted bouquet of flowers he’s had in his blazer pocket. He apologizes for the crushed flowers and says to her that they must’ve got that way "from the dance number I was doing.” How charming is that?

Gary, Mary and Walter set out for vacation in Los Angeles, where Walter, who’s always been drawn to the TV show, The Muppets wants to tour the theater and see all things Muppets. And in this, they see the dilapidated theater, meet Kermit, and thus the journey begins. For adult viewers 35 and older, it’s a trip down memory lane to once again hear the catchy theme song (“It’s time to play the music/It’s time to light the lights/It’s time to meet the muppets/On The Muppet Show tonight”). It’s also great to see familiar characters, such as Fozzie Bear, who is now a lounge lizard in Reno; the drummer Animal, who is now reluctantly in anger-management therapy; Scooter, who works at Google; and of course, Miss Piggy, an editor at French Vogue. (Also note Bobo the Bear. He has a subtle, yet hilarious scene where he fences with the evil businessman that made me laugh to the point where I reviewed the scene a few times.) The Muppets plays on retrospect, yet the film also works for kids, who otherwise may not be familiar with these classic 1970’s creatures.

As was featured in the ‘70s TV show, there are several celebrity cameos in this film, as well as musical numbers that are fun and entertaining, and one in particular, Man or Muppet is thoroughly heartwarming, deserving of the Oscar earlier this year for Best Original Song. Gary and Walter duet on this, which is full of quiet, reflective moments of questioning, as well as big crescendo moments of self-actualization and self-acceptance (“I’m a MAN!; I’m a MUPPET!”).

If there ever was to be a clever revamp of The Muppets franchise, this was the way to do it—full of happiness and positivity, without being overly corny, predictable, sure, but so what. It’s a refreshing display of differences as norm and a reminder of the importance of friends and family… and “fart shoes.” (“Forget You” and just see both short clips below.) BSo