Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Muppets Most Wanted

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Muppets Most Wanted - Movie Review

Muppets
Most Wanted
(2014 - March 21)
Adventure | Comedy | Crime
1 hr 46 min
Rated: PG | Some Mild Action Common Sense Media says OK for kids 5+. Read more
Grade: C

Director: James Bobin
Writers: James Bobin, Nicholas Stoller, Jim Henson (based on) (as Disney's Muppet properties and characters)
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey | See full cast and crew

Muppets Most Wanted takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid and London. But mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine—the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit—and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two, portrayed by Ricky Gervais. The film stars Tina Fey as Nadya, a feisty prison guard, and Ty Burrell as Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon.

Disney's Muppets Most Wanted is directed by James Bobin (The Muppets (2011), Flight of the Conchords (2007), Da Ali G Show (2003)) and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Bobin co-wrote the screenplay with Nicholas Stoller, (The Muppets (2011), Get Him to the Greek (2010), Fun with Dick and Jane (2005)) who is also executive producer with John Scotti (The Incredible Hulk (2008), Bad Boys II (2003), The Rock (1996)). Featuring music from Academy Award®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie (The Muppets, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Flight of the Conchords (2007), Dancing with the Stars, The Simpsons).

Lots of talent in the cast, loads of cameos from a wide array of stars and personalities can not save this movie. The jokes are tired, there is nothing new or interesting to breathe life into this 'sequel' that they proclaim in their opening musical number that they are about to make.

The performances by the Muppet's 'human' costars are lackluster and humorless as that of the Muppets. They are colorful, if that is a plus. How many times must we see Miss Piggy chase after Kermit the frog.

Ricky Gervais has zero screen presence and no comic timing in this film. He can be funny so I assume it is the writing and direction that is the problem here.

Ty Burrell is about as funny as he is on 'Modern Family' i.e. NOT, and again, he can be funny so it must be the writing and the direction holding him back as well.

Tina Fey really got on my last good nerve. Her tired sophomoric shtick is so boring on the snooze-fest '30 Rock' and it is equally ineffective here... but if that is your cup of tea...you may just enjoy this film. Personally, I couldn't wait for it to end. Its 1 hr. 46 min. running time felt more like 3 1/2. I didn't grow up watching the Muppets and they are not endearing characters for me but are silly, juvenile and humor-free. Perhaps I'm just getting old and crabby.

The concept that the Muppets can not tell the difference between their best friend Kermit and the evil Constantine with a Russian accent is insipid and tedious and the basis for the whole story. Kids will probably enjoy Muppets Most Wanted but I feel for the parents that must sit through it with them.