I grew up watching The Muppets, and I think it was phenomenal. Loaded with celebrity cameos, in true Muppet fashion, and each one better than the last. Jason Segel and Amy Adams were both spot-on. The Toy Story short that precedes it is pretty funny too. All in all, I was quite pleased.
We saw it last night - it was EXCELLENT. Very funny, great cameos, and moving too. I would even venture to say it was one of the best movies of the year so far.
If that is the real reason, then he is in the right. The muppets are above toilet humour. Henson always wanted them to be adult entertainment that children could enjoy as well, and then Disney took over and dumbed them down for a younger audience, playcating to children. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't judge on that, but I hope, as everyone is reporting, that the original spirit of the Muppets are back on the big screen.
I think the timing is perfect! With the recent influx and oversaturation of computer generated kids films it is a refreshing change to see everything done brilliantly in the tried and true low tech manner! I had the honor of working with the Muppets and Henson himself for six years in the early eighties. It is nice to see a return to what I believe was Jim Henson's vision. Thank-you Mr Segel for bringing the Muppets back on track!
Wow, Johnny, really glad you liked the picture so much. I take especial pride in your appreciation for the original Electric Mayhem bandstand-- my team and I were responsible for the sets on The Muppets, including recreating that signature bandstand. It's like an overloaded Thanksgiving feast to see the amazing reception The Muppets is getting from critics and audiences alike-- all I want is another chance to work with those terrific folks on another Muppets film down the road. :)
Saw it on Wednesday and thought it was an incredibly charming movie! The tone is just right, every time you think you're ready to roll your eyes at some cutesy joke, they completely undercut it in a way that still manages to be funny and sweet at once without ever becoming cynical or taking itself too seriously. It reminded me of the humor in ENCHANTED which I thought worked so great. It's just the kind of movie where I couldn't stop smiling from beginning to end. The new Muppet, Walter, was sort of the least interesting character just because he plays a sort of everyman type, but Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and a whole bunch of actors who do cameos (I particularly loved Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin) were all terrific, completely getting the tone the movie was going for without looking awkward. However, what I think the movie succeeds at the most is at making the Muppets the real stars of the show, it's such a nice love letter to them and Henson's legacy. Miss Piggy is still my favorite and her lines here are priceless, but I thought all the scenes involving the Muppets interacting without human characters worked perfectly. The musical numbers are all great and done in a really smart way, the finale is terrific. And at the risk of sounding like a cliche I have to say it was so refreshing to see a family movie that is done so well that it doesn't need to rely on 3D, computer animation, or big special effects to make up for bad script, characters, etc.
I saw the film today and it was entertaining from beginning to end. Amy Adams also continues to impress me with her terrific acting as well as her singing.
I adore Amy Adams and loved her in this, but I admit, at least as a musical performer, I haven't seen her to do anything too different. I'd love to see if she could handle a dramatic musical role.
"I'm really glad Pepe the Prawn only made a cameo. He is really annoying. "
THANK YOU. I have no idea why sometime in the mid 80s (it seemed), the Henson people felt he was some extremely popular leading character. He only works, at best, as a cameo.
Just back from the film and loved it!!! A beautiful story, at times hilarious, at times touching. I'm so happy the Muppets returned in such fine fashion.
I lost it the moment they all came out to sing Rainbow Connection together again. Just a beautiful film.
Agreed with all the praise for the film. Saw it with my folks on Thanksgiving- loved it. The new music was catchy and fun, the humor wonderful- it also had a ton of heart.
Also agreed in re: Pepe. He's the Scrappy Doo of the Muppets.
It also contains the best cover of "Fuck You" done by anyone ever.
joined:3/18/05
Posted: 11/23/11 at 06:33pm