The Muppets

As I said I saw this on Friday at Gallery Place. I was the 3:40 show. I was surprised by the number of people there. The theater was probably 3/4 full. There were around 200 people; there were probably a total of 10 kids in the audience. This is not to say the Muppets is not a kids movie but I think the vast majority of the audience for the movie will be adults remembering just how much fun the Muppets were/are.

Make no mistake about it this is a very funny movie. It is also a loving tribute to the Muppets and the joy and laughter they have brought to so many people. Jason Segel is almost single handily responsible for this. His love of everything Muppet comes through in the screen play he helped to write.

The basic story is that Gary (Jason Segel) Mary (Amy Adams) and Walter set out for a vacation in Los Angeles. One of the highlights is to see the Muppet Studios. The studio has fallen into disrepair. While on the tour, Walter over hears that the Muppet Theater is about to bought up by developer Tex Richman, played by Chris Cooper. There's oil underneath the theater and Richman is going to tear down the theater and drill for it.

Gary, Mary and Walter seek out Kermit to attempt to reunite the Muppets for one last show to raise a million dollars and save the theater. Sort of like an old Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney MGM movie. I mention that because Rooney has a cameo in the movie.

I won't give away the ending. But the journey to it is full of songs and smiles and a great deal of laughter. The movie is very much aware that well it is a movie. There are many asides to the audience. At one point Statler and Waldorf are talking and one says something to the effect of well that sounds like plot exposition for the audience. Another time when Gary, Mary and Walter fail to convince Kermit to find the other Muppets, Mary says this is going to be a short movie.

There is also the hysterical way in which the Muppets travel by map. I won't say anything more about it but it is very funny.

It was great to see the Muppets again on the big screen. What comes through from everyone of the human performers in the movie is the love and respect they have for the Muppets. And the shear joy of being in the movie.

I know I left with a smile on my face. You will too.