“The Muppets” Back in Theaters!

When I first heard that Jason Segel (“How I Met Your Mother” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) would be writing “The Muppets,” the first such movie to hit the theaters in nearly twelve years, I was a little skeptical at how well his comedic styling would coincide with the beloved American icons Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Fortunately, all of those doubts were swept away as I sat laughing in a theater on opening night throughout the entire movie. As I left, I could not remember the last time I had left a show having laughed so much or feeling so good about life.The story is centered on Gary’s (Segel) best friend Walter, who is in fact a Muppet himself.  Having been a lifelong fan of the Muppets he saw on television, Gary and his girlfriend (Amy Adams) surprise Walter by taking him to see the vacant Muppet Studios in Hollywood.

Upon their arrival, Walter learns that the run-down studios will be destroyed by oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) if the Muppets are unable to raise ten million dollars in a matter of days. Being inspired by seeing where his lifelong heroes worked, Walter reunites the old Muppet gang for one final show in order to raise the funds.

Make no mistake that despite a somewhat unoriginal plot and several celebrity cameos, the Muppets are the ones who shine brighter than ever in this film. The characters we have all grown to appreciate for their quirks are the same characters who deliver scene after magnificent scene of authentic humor through their dialogue and physical oddities. While the human actors and celebrities bring an entertaining element to the screen, in the end it is the Muppets who steal the show, quite literally.

The comedic writing by Segel is brilliantly done, creating a balance of cynicism toward its own simplicity and a feel-good nature that leaves you smiling at the littlest things. Line after line is filled with puns, clichés, sarcasm, and irony, making you laugh at not only what is happening on the screen but at what is being said as well. Perhaps even more refreshing is that Segel allows for most of the humor to be shared among the Muppet characters as opposed to him, and they do not disappoint in their delivery.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the movie is the music. I was pleasantly surprised when Segel, Adams, Walter and an array of extras broke out into the first of many musical numbers. The songs are extremely upbeat and set a pleasant pace throughout the movie.

The characters, writing, and music make this movie is a must-see for anyone regardless of their age. Despite a twelve year absence from the big screen, “The Muppets” delivers in a big way, making you laugh throughout while creating the nostalgia that only these classic characters can produce.