The Muppets

Full disclosure, I have been looking forward to this film since it was announced. For reasons I can't actually explain I love the Muppets. The Movies, TV shows, the obscure characters, they all hold a sweet spot in the hunk of coal known as my heart. So unless this movie was the spawn of Satan I was guaranteed to at least like this film. Spoilers: It's not the spawn of Satan.

The Characters
I think almost everyone knows the core Muppets: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzy Bear, Animal. Kermit is the nervous leader. Miss Piggy is the violent starlet. Gonzo is the embodiment of weird. Fozzy has no idea what's funny. Animal is an excitable wild man (Muppet?). So with those basics in mind lets focus on the the three humans and the new Muppet: Gary (Jason Segel), Mary (Amy adams), Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), and Walter

Gary and Mary are both fighting internal conflict. Gary wants to help Walter even when it negatively effect his relationship. Mary wants more time with Gary but doesn't want to rip him away from his family. These problems that don't amount to much more than a song resolution (a fun song mind you). The characters are presented as loving and understanding people so there is no doubt things will work out between them.

Tex Richman is the weakest of the human characters. He is an evil businessman looking to get more money and Muppets are in his way. He has Muppet called Uncle Deadly and Bobo the bear. He is given a villain quirk as is tradition in modern comedies (see if you can spot it). The only thing he is missing is the volcano lair and their may be one under his office building (oil is under a studio in the center of LA, so why not.) Cooper plays it appropriately hammy for what the character calls for, but I honestly think it would have been better if he was another Muppet with Cooper's voice.

Lastly we have Walter. He is an entirely new Muppet creation made expressly for this film. He loves the Muppets to obsessive and without a doubt the main character of this film. He is the sole reason for why the movie happens. As far as I can tell Walter is an exaggeration of Muppet fans, specifically Segel himself. I suspect the commonality between Walter, Segel, and even myself is we became fans after the original run of the Muppet show. Segel took his affection for the characters and much like Walter was able to join them on stage. And that sentiment is what leads us to the story.

The Story
I almost missed the true story of this film. What you're presented with is a generic plot about "the band getting back together". That story is an enjoyable one. The song and dance numbers are infectious. There are enough jokes for everyone from children to adults to enjoy. Does it have issues? Yes. Why does Segel have a Muppet brother? How is there oil under a studio in LA? Why Doesn't Gonzo use his successful business to help save the studio? No one knows. The lunacy of that surface plot doesn't leave you enough time to think about those things. You get caught up in the ride and that's OK. You're supposed to enjoy the roller coaster. As I said before there is a story hidden under that ride. That is the story of Walter. Walter's journey from fan to cast mate is what is propels the movie. And when I say Walter I actually mean Segel. This is Segel's story. Not only in the obvious as he gets to work with the Muppets, but also the story of his career. He found not only cohorts to make films with but also an audience just like Walter. I'm not sure if I've made my opinion clear enough.

So here's the bottom line, go see this movie. Like I said numerous times throughout this piece this is a fun movie. It is impossible not enjoy. I also am making the call now that the eventual DVD release should be picked up as well. Knowing the cast and having watched the trailers there guarantees to be fun deleted scenes and cast commentary.