The Muppets (2011)
Director: James Bobin
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper
For about 48 hours after watching this film I had the song ‘Man or Muppet’ stuck in my head, and that is no exaggeration.
Driving back on Tuesday night after watching The Muppets it was stuck on loop in my head. When I turned on the radio the next morning it was also on, with the host saying how he too is more muppet than man sometimes.
What is ‘Man or Muppet’, I hear you ask. Well, it’s one of the most catchy and well written songs I have heard in a long time, and it’s sung by two of the main characters, Gary and Walter. Written by Bret McKenzie, the song features Gary and Walter questioning themselves on the subject of their true identities.
For me, the song is a return to form for Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets. As I explained in my Festive Friday post on The Muppet Christmas Carol, I really enjoy the Muppets’ songs. In my opinion, having fantastic, catchy songs is a must in any Muppets film. ‘Man or Muppet’ certainly carries on this tradition, and so do the majority of the other songs: Amy Adams and Miss Piggy’s number, Me Party, is a particular delight.
Happily, the whole film is a definite return to form as well. It’s brilliant seeing Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang back on the big screen, and Walter is an excellent addition. Considering this is his debut role, Walter fits in very well.
Walter is a muppet, while Gary, his brother, is a man. Together they have a shared love of The Muppet Show, and when Gary takes his girlfriend, Mary, on holiday to Los Angeles, he invites Walter along to visit the Muppet Theater together. However, once they arrive Walter overhears the evil plan of an oil magnate, Tex Richman, who is going to buy the theater and then knock it down… Cue a last ditch attempt by Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang to stop this from happening.
Segel and Adams were great casting choices, and they also fit in with the old gang very well. The whole film seems very familiar but at the same time has been revamped with extra pizzazz. It’s an excellent addition to the Muppets’ filmography, and will surely win them a new legion of fans.
★★★★★
Cinematic Delights 
It is on my list to see Claire. Now it has to go to the top! Great piece!
I’m glad I’m not the last person who hasn’t seen this as Dan hasn’t either 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this so much Claire, I’ll rent this and I’m sure it’s jolly good fun!
Yay!! Glad you liked this Claire! Looks like you may have finally been the last person that Ruth needed to be convinced to watch it!
Ruth, you better watch it soon. 😉
Longtime Muppet fans will undoubtedly have more fun than young ones, but for the most part, it’s a witty, delightful romp, that shows you that you can still be funny, without ever being mean still in 2011. Good review Claire.
Hey Claire, I’m not sure what’s going on but your blog seems to be showing this Muppets review from 6 months ago when the movie came out.
😉
I’m kidding of course. Glad you finally got to see this and loved. Such a delightful film. Now, if only we could convince Ruth to see it!
Cheeky Castor!!
I am so happy you loved this film as much as I did Claire!!
Such an awesome film!! Glad you enjoyed it!! I only saw it a few weeks ago myself!
Glad to see I wasn’t the only one who had that song swirling around my cranium for days after seeing the movie. And, more annoyingly, it has me questioning my own identity. I’ve always suspected there was something Muppety about me. Now I have a theme song! 🙂