2011 Movies: The Muppets
The Muppets
Directed by James Bobin (Flight of the Concords)
Really, REALLY cute. I very much enjoyed it. It was nice to see the Muppets up on the big screen again. This one is full of really great comedy, lots of cute throwbacks to classic Muppet moments and some really fun new jokes. You can tell just how much modern green screen techniques free up the Muppet performers, while at the same time, it doesn't become a big showy mess. It's about the old gang, not about the new toys we have.
With that said...I will say I don't think it will hold up to much scrutiny. I think if you start thinking too hard about this one, it'll start to unravel. There are a number of jokes that are set up, but never really sunk. Alternately, there are jokes that are pure punchline, leaving you feeling like you missed something earlier in the film. ("Maniacal Laugh" for example.)
Chris Cooper is pretty effective in what will forever be remembered as a one note character that a great actor makes work. Amy Adams is adorable. Love her. Jason Segal is clearly having the time of his life, being onscreen with his childhood idols. And we get a plethora of cameos that range from the amazing (Neal Patrick Harris) to the pointless (Selina Gomez). And frankly, Ms Goldberg, you should be ashamed of yourself. That was a waste of both our times. You couldn't have been bothered to actually do something?
::sigh::
But I digress.
It's an adorable film. I hope the Muppets keep right on rolling. My perfect world would include them rolling the success of this film into their old formula, where the Muppets play characters in a story (a la The Great Muppet Caper, Muppet Chrismas Carol,and Muppet Treasure Island).
Would I own it? I think I will. It made me laugh.
Directed by James Bobin (Flight of the Concords)
Really, REALLY cute. I very much enjoyed it. It was nice to see the Muppets up on the big screen again. This one is full of really great comedy, lots of cute throwbacks to classic Muppet moments and some really fun new jokes. You can tell just how much modern green screen techniques free up the Muppet performers, while at the same time, it doesn't become a big showy mess. It's about the old gang, not about the new toys we have.
With that said...I will say I don't think it will hold up to much scrutiny. I think if you start thinking too hard about this one, it'll start to unravel. There are a number of jokes that are set up, but never really sunk. Alternately, there are jokes that are pure punchline, leaving you feeling like you missed something earlier in the film. ("Maniacal Laugh" for example.)
Chris Cooper is pretty effective in what will forever be remembered as a one note character that a great actor makes work. Amy Adams is adorable. Love her. Jason Segal is clearly having the time of his life, being onscreen with his childhood idols. And we get a plethora of cameos that range from the amazing (Neal Patrick Harris) to the pointless (Selina Gomez). And frankly, Ms Goldberg, you should be ashamed of yourself. That was a waste of both our times. You couldn't have been bothered to actually do something?
::sigh::
But I digress.
It's an adorable film. I hope the Muppets keep right on rolling. My perfect world would include them rolling the success of this film into their old formula, where the Muppets play characters in a story (a la The Great Muppet Caper, Muppet Chrismas Carol,and Muppet Treasure Island).
Would I own it? I think I will. It made me laugh.