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‘Muppets Most Wanted’ a reboot for all ages

Muppets Most Wanted


It’s Kermit the frog here, or is it? That is the question in the latest retooling of the Muppets, and they clearly know this is a sequel, as the entire first number is an homage to just that. In this, the seventh sequel, the Muppets are doing a world tour, under the guise of new manager; Dominic Badguy, Rickie Gervais and criminal mastermind Constantine an escapee from a Russian Gulag who happens to look just like Kermit, sans mole. Constantine swaps places with Kermit, covers up his mole and steps in Kermit’s shoes, while Kermit is captured and sent back to the Gulag. Dominic and Constantine are in cahoots to steal the crown jewels of England, while using the Muppets as a diversion. Of course mayhem ensues and there are many puns along the way, some funny, and some not, in addition to a multitude of cameos from Lady Gaga, to Tom Hiddleston, and Usher (who has one of the funniest lines) etc. Yet, some cameos are so small with no line at all. (Miranda Richardson was a "Berliner at the wall” however her role is so innocuous that one could miss it entirely). This begs the question why have so many cameos if they add nothing of value to the plot.

Tina Fey as Nadia

The best moments in this film were in the Russian Gulag. Tina Fey is funny and fetching as Nadia, taking a role which could have been inconsequential, and making it campy and fun. Every moment she was on the screen was a joy to watch. In addition, the scenes with Kermit and the prisoners were some of the best in the film. These scenes were so good that it made one want to join them in their mad cap fun, which is quite a feat considering one does not usually think of the word prison and ‘fun’ together.

The “Muppets Most Wanted” does drag at points and while we are supposed to suspend disbelief, the extent to which they expect the audience to can seem a bit ridiculous. However, this is a movie which in the end is for the entire family. Therefore, it is not a bad way to spend your time, puns, slap stick et al.