- Do the Muppets know they're Muppets? The thought had never occurred to me prior to meeting their latest movie, James Bobin's The Muppets, and its star Walter. The plain truth is, Walter is rather different from his brother Gary (Jason Segel). While Gary is tall, Walter is short. Whereas Gary is in a long-term relationship with his fiance Mary (Amy Adams), Walter doesn't seem to be dating anyone. Also, there's the fact that Gary is human while Walter is made entirely of orange felt. Speaking of which, both brothers absolutely adore the Muppets, and Walter is thrilled to accompany Gary and Mary on a cross-country trip to Muppet Studios in Hollywood.
- As they approach the dilapidated entrance sign, however, we gather that the studios have fallen on hard times. These days, Kermit lives like Norma Desmond, secluded in his lonely mansion, while Miss Piggy works in France as the head of a Parisian fashion magazine. Fozzie tours the casino circuit with his cheap knockoff band "The Moopets," Animal attends meetings of Drummers Anonymous, and Gonzo has become a respectable plumbing supplies businessman. Meanwhile, the studios are scheduled to be sold to the diabolical tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) unless the Muppets can raise ten million dollars in one week. Even if Walter can find a way to get the band back together, how will they ever raise enough money to save the studio? More importantly, should Sweetums and Sam the Eagle really be working a telethon?
- First and foremost, The Muppets is an affectionate and completely respectful homage to the greatest puppet show on Earth. Things aren't quite as clever or funny as they were when Jim Henson was still around (substitute Jack Black for Steve Martin, and you'll get the idea), but clearly the film adores its source material. It also has a lot of fun, as the old movies did, with gratuitous musical numbers. Some of the tunes are great, like its extensive opening number "Life's a Happy Song," some sound like Flight of the Conchords outtakes (Bret McKenzie indeed wrote several songs), and one even grants Chris Cooper his long-awaited shot at a hip-hop career. Still, when the film pulls off great gags like traveling "by map" or the all-chicken review, you'll almost think you're watching one of the classic Muppet productions. Even the notorious curmudgeons Statler and Waldorf couldn't dislike this film.
- The Muppet voices were provided by Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, and Peter Linz.
- There were a lot of bit parts and cameos, but most notable were Rashida Jones, Emily Blunt, Dave Grohl, Alan Arkin, and Kristen Schaal.
