#180
Post
by kevinknapman » Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:02 pm
I was at the BFI screening on Friday and it was definitely interesting seeing it with a mixed crowd of people obviously familiar with the Muppets and those seeing them for the first time. Though I was slightly depressed by the young woman behind me who, reading the programme notes, said 'Jim Henderson. He must be the director'. Rather worrying ignorance on display (and an inability to read).
Having seen an extended clip at Big Screen, I was really looking forward to this. Thankfully it didn't disappoint and was every bit as wonderful and charming as I'd hoped it would be. Any film that kicks off with Paul Simon's 'Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard' is onto a winner straight away in my book.
Seeing the Muppets back together in a recognisable environment works wonders. Though the previous habit of putting them in classic stories did occasionally p*y off (okay, it worked once with A Christmas Carol), seeing them back in the traditional 'let's put on a show right here' format is where they are most effective. As a result the film works both as a piece of nostalgia for what the Muppets used to represent but also as an introduction to an audience not familiar with their earlier TV show and films. Having new Muppet Walter as a way into that world is also ingenious, as is the decision to never explain why Walter has a human brother (played by Jason Segel).
The film is incredibly funny with plenty of laugh out loud moments. It also has it's fair share of throwaway gags, so it's worth playing close attention. My favourite includes the line "I only wanted to make a difference", which I won't spoil the context of but listen out for that one. Not every gag works but those that do easily outnumber them. The songs are wonderful too, (including the much deserved) Oscar-nominated Man or Muppet. Bret MacKenzie bringing some of that 'Flight of the Conchords' magic (along with that show's director James Bobin). Pretty scandalous that fellow 'Conchord' Jermaine Clement's Rio song wasn't also nominated as that would have been a great showdown.
I had heard that the cameos were disappointing which I don't think is really accurate. Admittedly some of them do seem to be the best they could get at the last moment, but quite a few of them are genuinely surprising (as long as you avoid some of the reviews, Like Empire's). Thankfully I didn't have some of them spoiled for me (so I won't spoil it either) but keep a close eye on the drummer in the Muppets tribute band and audience member Hobo Joe ("Why does everyone always forget about Hobo Joe?"). Although I did feel slightly sorry for the young cast member of a popular American sitcom whose appearance is reduced to a joke about how Kermit has no idea who he is (a sentiment which will probably be shared by the majority of the UK audience).
The main human cast are very good, never overwhelming the real stars of the film, the Muppets themselves. Segel and Amy Adams are very likeable and Chris Cooper has a blast as the boo-hiss villain.
The Muppets is great fun. Heartwarming, occasionally slightly cheesy but constantly delightful and inventive. The only sour note comes with a couple of Cars 2 billboards that pop up in the middle and at the film's climax. It's a horribly cynical piece of Disney self-promotion that leaves a slightly nasty taste in the mouth. Not enough to ruin it thankfully. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it again next weekend.
The Toy Story short that precedes it is also very enjoyable and funny.
Member No.41 of the "100 free films in 2018" club! 22 seen 78 to go
Recent free films:A Star is Born, Smallfoot, Overlord, The Girl in the Spider's Web, Home Alone
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2017" club! 29 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2016" club! 44 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2015" club! 61 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2014" club! 40 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2013" club! 64 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2012" club! 88 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2011" club! 108 seen
Member No. 41 of the "100 free films in 2010" club! 84 films seen
