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Thursday, March 20, 2014

MOVIE REVIEW Muppets Most Wanted
 Wanted: A Muppet Who Looks Like Kermit The Frog

Kermit - I mean Constantine - in "Muppets Most Wanted", a comedy adventure directed by James Bobin.  Disney
       
by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        Follow popcornreel on Twitter FOLLOW                                           
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Cheeky, funny and jagged, James Bobin's comedy-adventure "Muppets Most Wanted" puts a smile on your face.  It never fails to poke fun at itself and movies in general.  It's one of the first "mockumusicals" of the new century.  After the resplendently gay "Muppets Movie", this sequel has grayer, grittier and cooler tones, but its bursts of color give it a snappiness and pop that won me over.

Consistently transparent, "Most Wanted" establishes villain Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) early.  Badguy persuades the naive Muppets to be managed by him on their international tour.  Soon Badguy, who's never forgotten that he's second banana to Kermit-look-alike Constantine, uses the tour to shadow his criminal ambitions: the Crown Jewels in the Tower Of London.  Before you can say marry Miss Piggy, Kermit himself is off to the Gulag, policed by Nadya (Tina Fey). Badguy is off to the races, knee deep in nefarious designs.

There's a cute, mischievous and farcical air about Mr. Bobin's witty film, which will produce more laughs among adult Muppet fans than kids.  It's a film that relentlessly celebrates cast-offs, auditioning players and frustrated ambitions.  With more cameos per square-inch than any movie in 2014, "Muppets Most Wanted" lets its beloved Muppets waltz into your heart.  What makes this film work is its effortless parody and some good lines by Mr. Bobin and Nicholas Stoller.  "Most Wanted" is best when it celebrates aspiration and imperfection (as well as imitation and impersonation.) 

Characters moonlight in trying to be something they aren't, or, try too much to be what they can't.  In this movie Muppetland credentials are keys to paradise, and some characters are forever displaying their calling cards as can-do proof pudding.  There's a feeling of trust, but verify around every corner, where change and surprise may lurk.  Along with boundless forms of its own flattery and self-knowledge, "Muppets Most Wanted" flaunts its wares unevenly but triumphantly on varying levels among diverse characters.

Though Kermit stays hidden mostly backstage, "Muppets Most Wanted" shifts terrains, styles and gears, a full-on imbroglio of noise, color, wit and musical numbers better than in some Oscars shows, all neatly choreographed to your heart's delight.  Many of the film's better scenes happen at the margins beyond the main characters.  While Badguy is possibly the least interesting villain in any recent film, he manages to have some fun unleashing his inner Bill Robinson.

"Muppets Most Wanted" is more adult than its predecessor but for all its endeavor -- sometimes it works a little too hard for its own applause -- it is endearing, enjoyable and constantly entertaining.

Also with: Ty Burrell, and a host of cameos from instantly recognizable celebrities.

"Muppets Most Wanted" is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association Of America for some mild action.  The film's running time is one hour and 52 minutes.

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