Innocent, wholesome entertainment sells. That’s what The Muppets are trying to tell us with their comeback movie. Great moral for the “gritty reboot” era, which is conveniently and mercilessly lampooned in a very clever and self – referential movie, that brilliantly manages to keep its fresh optimism and innocence.The Muppets really can act. It’s not only their voices, but also their fabric-made faces transmit emotion better than a few contemporary actors can. And most of all, one cannot avoid feeling sorrow for Kermit’s sadness. Every member of the original cast makes a triumphant comeback and Walter with his tenderness and unique talent almost steals the show from the mighty Kermit.
People old enough can feel literally transported back to their childhood when the intro segment of the Muppets’ Show takes place. As a bonus, you can realize where the Simpsons’ concept of never-the-same-intro was stolen. You cannot see with tolerant eyes anymore how Groening and Co. lampoon the Muppets by working with Troy McClure after realizing that.
Jack Black’s “unwitting” contribution feels as natural as almost the whole rest of cameos. A self-deprecating Whoopi Goldberg looks great side to side with Selena Gomez and Neil Patrick Harris, which would have been perfectly cast for any major role in the movie, as he proved with The Smurfs.
Plot holes are easily and jokingly dismissed with the above mentioned cleverness the movie possesses. The music numbers are great and the only really unpleasant surprise is to find Sarah Silverman performing as Sarah Silverman, waitressing with her accustomed cynicism and wry demeanor (she might be just still bitter about Greg the Bunny getting axed after a paltry six episodes). What a great villain would have been, playing an updated version of the Wicked Witch of the West, but not, the writers played it safe demonizing oil and businessmen casting the villain as a tycoon that wants to destroy the Muppet Theatre to extract the oil, just like it’s done anywhere in the L.A. area. But never mind, the mood of the movie is very joyous and Tex Richman is an over-the-top caricature of a, say, a bloodthirsty George Soros, living only to make more money no matter the consequences.Children indoctrination in movies is here to stay. Directors and writers aiming at children are not veiling the political message anymore. I’ve seen the horror of the coming “attractions” and I think I can barely stomach the way some Hollywood bigwigs attempt to manipulate its clientele, thinking for them and delivering what’s good for them. Buying the tie-in products is not enough anymore; the brats have to be taught how to vote, too.
It took two paragraphs, but believe me this political thing is a very small peccadillo in a great entertaining movie, with takes you with sensibility to a simpler era, without f-bombs and attitudes.
Whacka-whacka-whacka a comeback!
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I hate these days. People are telling you to STFU. Just say it, no matter how stupid or offensive it is.