Is ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ Worth it for the Laughs?
By Jasmine “Jazz” Beverly
The Muppets Most Wanted has the regular cast of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, with the whole Muppet gang also there to join in on the fun. And what fun we have in this latest Muppets movie! All the characters are the same lovable, wonderful Muppets who have entertained audiences since 1955.
Also joining the regular cast are, of course, the cameo guest stars including everyone from Tony Bennett to Christoph Waltz. Not to mention Usher! There are so many cameos in this movie it will make your head spin. Half the time I didn’t know the face I was looking at, which has positive and negative aspects. Positively: it can fill the film with familiar faces but negatively, it can distract the audience. Overall, I did not find the cameos to be a problem. The Muppets have had cameos on their show and in their movies since the beginning of the franchise.
The story is pretty simple: There is a frog, Constantine, who is the #1 most wanted criminal and coincidentally looks like our Kermit the Frog. Constantine switches places with Kermit the Frog and takes over the show, sending Kermit to a prison, possibly for life. The rest of the story follows Kermit as he tries to get back to his friends and the Muppets as they try to figure out this dilemma with the “real” Kermit. Other stories intertwine in the main plot with many laughs along the way. This was a great comedy! There were moments where I struggled to stay in my seat because the jokes were so funny.
Filmography: The filming of this movie was nothing to write home about. They keep the focus where it should be, on the Muppets. There are a lot of close-up shots and not very many of shots that made me say “wow.”
The special effects are used only to make the Muppets and that is all they need. There are many big singing numbers where fireworks, bright lights, and stages are used. Some of the special effects are that of the stage.
Overall this is the movie to see if you want to spend some time laughing. They are the familiar Muppets that I grew up with, and I loved seeing them returning to the screen (again). I personally have always enjoyed the Muppets and their show from when I was a very little girl. I am glad that I can still enjoy them. However, you did not have to grow up with the Muppets to enjoy this movie. The jokes are funny, the Muppets are funny, and the cameos are funny. Though it was funny and had me laughing almost out of my chair, it would be better to unleash your laugh in a private setting. There were moments when I thought something was funny, but none of the young kids around me did. It is not a movie I would rush out in public to see. Wait to rent it and enjoy it in your own time.
Rating: 6.99
