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The Muppets

The Muppets

By Patrick Samuel • February 8th, 2012
Static Mass Rating: 5/5
THE MUPPETS (CINEMA)
Disney

Release date: February 10th, 2012
Certificate (UK): U
Running time: 109 minutes

Director: James Bobin
Writers: Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller

Cast: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Chris Cooper, Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones and Walter

I don’t really think I’d be who I am today if it wasn’t for these guys and their creator, Jim Henson. I know, that sounds odd, but what can I tell you?

From a very, very early age there was just something about them I connected with immediately and have since then never disconnected from. Maybe it was Kermit’s upbeat look on life, or Gonzo’s daredevil stunts, Piggy’s undying love for her frog or Fozzie’s crumby jokes; they just always seemed to be there when I needed them the most. They made me smile and laugh and they set my imagination soaring with the idea that I could join them one day.

Anyone who knows me, knows that at heart I am essentially a Muppet. I might be all skin and hair on the outside, but on the inside, I’m all fluff. Big fluffy fluffing fluff. And it only gets worse with age. Up until now, I honestly thought I was the only one but as it turns out, this wasn’t true at all.

The Muppets

In what can only be described as the most incredible movie ever – the Muppets have returned with an all-new adventure. I was extremely worried at first that everything I had (almost) grown-up with would be lost in this new age, but with a story written by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, there’s a strong air of nostalgia as they restore these wonderful guys to their rightful place.

It begins with the story of Walter, a young man who was born as a Muppet! I know! As he goes through life he starts to feel like he’ll never be a part of anything because he’s so different from everyone else. One day Walter catches a television show called The Muppet Show and everything changes! His human brother, Gary (Jason Segel), loves him to bits and buys him everything to do with the Muppets, including a Kermit the frog watch.

When Gary plans a trip to Los Angeles with his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), he also plans to take Walter with them so he can visit the Muppet Theatre and see where all the magic happens. Unfortunately, when they get there, the studio is nothing but a ruin as most of the world has moved on and forgotten about the guys. Walter is absolutely heartbroken but he then overhears evil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) planning to tear down the theatre and drill for oil which stirs him into action to try and stop it from happening.

As Walter, Gary and Mary track down the Muppets, they have a hard time convincing them that people still care and that putting on a telethon will raise the money they need to buy the theatre back before Tex can tear it down. But with a spring in his step and with Kermit to look up to, it’s only a matter of time before Walter discovers where he really, truly belongs.

The Muppets

I have to say; I sat there the entire time with the biggest, goofiest smile on my face as I sang to the songs with them and cheered our heroes on. My 9-year-old nephew loved it but he’s still baffled at my love for the Muppets. Any worries I had about the film letting me down were gone by the first few minutes when I realised this story was one that looks back lovingly on all what these guys have been through while also bringing it up to date.

There are some great moments such as when we see Walter growing up, the montage where Rolf the Dog gets picked up and of course the songs! Pictures in My Head is beautiful, sad and so nostalgic as Kermit remembers the good old days with the gang and who doesn’t know the Muppet theme by heart? “It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight.” What I loved the most was The Rainbow Connection, my most favourite Muppet song, and I had no idea it would be featured in the movie. I still have my old vinyl record of Kermit singing this and it really did bring a joyful tear to my eyes.

If anything, I hope it doesn’t take another 12 years before we see them on the big screen again. The Muppets gave me that same feeling I had whenever I watched their shows and movies; wherever I was, that was where I belonged and wherever I went, they would never be far. Muppet and proud!

The Muppets

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Patrick Samuel

Patrick Samuel

The founder of Static Mass Emporium and one of its Editors in Chief is a composer and music producer with a philosophy degree. Static Mass is where he lives his passion for film and writing about it. A fan of film classics, documentaries and World Cinema, Patrick prefers films with an impeccable way of storytelling that reflect on the human condition.

You can find his music on Soundcloud .

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