The Muppets
Dir: James Bobin
2011
*****
Are you a Man or are you a Muppet or a Muppet like man or a Manly Muppet? The answer to this will effect your enjoyment of the film. I grew up on the Muppets and they represent something quite sacred to me - I'm not alone. This one is for the fans. For far too long I've seen my childhood favourites 'return' or become 're-imagined' for a new audience but this one was going to be the one that really counted. The relief that I felt after seeing this in the cinema, mixed with the nostalgic feelings it invoked almost made me want to cry like a baby. The great songs are back too, thanks to the genius idea of hiring Bret McKenzie from The Flight of the Conchords fame. Okay, let's put things into perspective though. Jim Henson died over 20 years ago and Frank Oz retired from Muppet duties over 10 years ago. The Muppets could have died 20 years ago or faded out 10 years ago but they didn't, Henson's legacy lived on - not always successfully it has to be said but you're never going to beat the first 3 films and Christmas Specials - that's a fact we're all just going to have to get over but you know what, Steve Whitmire has been doing a great job since 1990, he was trained by Henson and has kept the dream alive, along with the other great performers, notably Eric Jacobson and Dave Goelz who has been there since the beginning. The spirit of Jim Henson is very much alive but not just with the Muppet performers, but with the fans like Jason Segel who left any ego he may have had to one side, stepped up for the fans and made a film for us. The Muppets are back, they didn't really leave but they are back on form, Rolf the Dog and The Electric Mayhem are back though after a bit of an absence in the last few films, Pepe is there but takes a modest side step - shame Rizzo was absent but apart from that, this Muppet fan couldn't be happier. That's not entirely true, I'd be happier if The Muppets weren't Disney owned - sell your plastic lunch boxes and pencil cases but make more films, use your investment and lets bring back the Muppet show, release Muppets tonight on DVD and get the kids into this - thus making the world a better place, and yes, I truly believe the Muppets make the world a better place. Damn it, I'm welling up again....