Life’s a happy song!

The Muppets (2011)
Certified: U
Running time: 103 minutes
Directed by: James Bobin
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Jack Black
Muppet performers: Steve Whitmore, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, Tyler Bunch
KRS release

The Muppets is a welcome return to the big screen. It is not only the most financially successful Muppets movie ever but it is also guaranteed to satisfy the original fans and garner in new ones.

The people in the production seem to be real fans themselves...- Johan Galea

Brothers Gary (Jason Segel) and Walter (voice of Peter Linz) have grown up into two very different individuals. Gary is quite a normal human while Walter has remained very puppet-like.

The latter is a big Muppet show fan as he can identify with these characters. Now he is off to fulfil a dream. He is set to go on a Muppet tour in Los Angeles together with Gary and his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) who are celebrating their 10th anniversary.

On their arrival they discover that the historic studio is in a terrible state. Walter finds out that rich and unscrupulous businessman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) will soon have sole control of the property and so he can freely demolish the studio to unearth the oil deposit that lies underneath. Only $10 million can save the property.

So the trio decides to head off to find Kermit (David Goelz) and tell him all about this. The Muppets have not met in years but Kermit agrees that the group must reunite.

So they set off on a cross country trip to find the rest of the gang. This includes: Gonzo (David Goelz) who is now a plumbing tycoon; Fozzie bear (Eric Jacobson) who is now doing stand-up comedy; drummer Animal who is in anger management therapy; and Miss Piggy (Eric Jacobson) who is now working as a plus-size editor at Vogue. Together they must set up a telethon to save the studio and thwart Richman.

The Muppets has a veritable who’s who of cameo guests: Emily Blunt, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Dave Grohl, Neil Patrick Harris, Judd Hirsch and Mickey Rooney, among others, to add to the film’s charms. And Jack Black is incredibly hilarious.

With a fresh set of songs, Disney has managed to revitalise The Muppets which goes a long way to show to new generations the reason behind this series’ success. Songs by Flight of the Conchords star Brett McKenzie of the likes of Me Party and Man or Muppet, sung by Jason Segel, really get the Muppets spirit just right.

The film’s main strength lies in the fact that it is aware of all the history that precedes it and builds on it. The people in the production seem to be real fans themselves and are out to please the loyal fanbase.

In fact, the production owes more to the classic Jim Henson years and seemingly ignores anything that came afterwards, especially the 1990s productions.

In fact, the film’s spirit is firm and square in the original Muppet Show where everything seemed possible, where music, mischievousness and a sense of playfulness were the order of the day.

Whether you are young or old, it is very difficult not to leave the cinema with a smile firmly planted on your face. The film is merry, insightful, chaotic, selfaware, absurd and chock full of laughs.

The Muppets are back and show business will never be the same again.