The muppets - mah nama na

                                                               
I've never really watched the muppets, not the movies or the tv show. It has, however always intrigued me, seeming quite up my street - singing and dancing puppets, what's not to like -  so i thought hey, lets give this new movie ago.

The idea of this movie was nurtured, written and acted by comedic actor jason segal (one of Judd apatow's protegees). Gary (Segal), his girlfriend Mary (a perfectly suited Amy Adams) and his puppet brother Walter, being huge muppet fans set out to Hollywood to see the dilapidated muppet studios. Whilst there Walter uncovers an evil plan to demolish the studios. The only way to save it is to raise 10 million pounds (in about a day) and the only way to do this, of course, is to reunite the disbanded muppets and put on a fundraising showstopping one night production.

My fear, was that with Segal taking the helm of this movie, would pollute the family friendly muppets and songs, with niggling innuendo's and a lot of adult humour (much like the quite hilarious, but highly inapropriate avenue q). Although this isn't necessary a bad thing, I wanted to see a wholesome, fun, kids movie that didn't need to have sexual connotations in it in order to be appealing to all kinds of audiences. Thankfully this is what we have. Segal and Adams are vibrant and sweet (almost sickly, but not quite) as Mary and Gary, blending quite well into a film which is undoubtedly taken over by the charming muppets. With the same puppeteers to the characters as there always has been, the scenes and songs of the muppets are the ones that thrive the most. It is just pure, family friendly, goofy fun.

It isn't, however without flaws. There are slow moments, where i can imagine some children (and adults) would get fidgety and a bit bored, and there are a few songs that are a tiny bit too cringeworthy  - i.e, me party - where Adams even looks slightly uncomfortable singing it. Also, I am always a fan of celebrity cameos, they often add an unexpected chuckle. However, this movie has more cameos than you can shake a stick at. Some work, like Alan Arkin, Zach Galifianakis and Dave Grohl (ah-mazing), and some really don't, like whoopee goldbherg and Selena Gomez (oh dear).

   At the end of the day, I went into the movie expecting fun. I got fun, I got a generally awesome soundtrack, and i got a happy uplifted feeling when i left the cinema. I couldn't ask for much more on a tuesday afternoon.
3.5 / 5