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HOME > QUIPSOGRAPHY > MUPPETS MOST WANTED (2014) > PAGE 2 Much like in all the previous Muppet movies, Muppets Most Wanted is stacked wall-to-wall with hilariously hokey contrivances, self-effacing quips and goofy slapstick, all musically culminating in the Muppets' prerequisite reaffirmation of friendship. It's always a fun time, spending time with the Muppets. Even more-so, this newest flick is no exception. Returning director Bobin and The Muppets film's co-screenwriter Nicholas Stoller team up to script a wonderfully entertaining romp highlighting all the enjoyable elements that made the Muppets world famous. All the same characters return, including their newest member, Walter, as poor Kermit's world is turned upside-down and pulled in different directions here. Badguy's undermining management style threatens to release the show to the unfiltered lunacy of Gonzo and Animal. Facing that, and Miss Piggy's overbearing preparations for her upcoming marriage to Kermit - without his proposal, he can do that on her/their honeymoon - sends Kermit's skinny green arms flailing in epic exasperation even before Constantine's devious subterfuge entraps him. Kermit's subsequent gulag adventure opposite Tina Fey's quirky Nadya role is equally packed with laughs. Good stuff. Top marks go to Ricky Gervais, for easily being one of the best humans cast in a Muppet movie. Ever. Gervais effortlessly shifts from wry sophisticated wit to full-on campy nuttiness throughout, elevating the comedic strength of this big screen picture to a caliber of excellence not seen since the legends of comedy passed through The Muppet Show series decades ago. His duet, I'm Number One, is pure side-splitting genius. Absolutely phenomenal. As well, Ty Burrell pulls in a fairly good performance channeling Steve Martin's exaggerated take on Hollywood's iconic Inspector Clouseau, playing persnickety French Interpol detective Jean Pierre Napoleon opposite his fussy American equal, CIA field investigator Sam Eagle, an eagle. These two wildly affected stereotypes are dispatched to a bewildering Berlin burglary that soon leads them awkwardly trailing a mysterious culprit to Madrid, then Ireland, and finally, London. Burrell's efforts could have easily become unbearably wince-inducing, if the screenplay hadn't given him hugely fresh moments to work magic with throughout. I've mentioned the music a couple of times already, but Burrell's tuneful sparring with Sam Eagle is the stuff of classic Broadway. The original songs by Bret McKenzie in this movie's soundtrack are incredible. Like Gervais' duet, Fey's notably funny gulag number and many of the Muppets' splashy musical interludes scored are memorably impressive - during those scenes, and long after the closing credits. Absolutely check out this delightfully light-hearted and entertaining, family friendly comedy caper that delivers an outstanding performance from Ricky Gervais, and everything inspirational and celebrational that Muppets fans have grown to love, whether you're a kid or a Muppet at heart. Reviewed 03/14, © Stephen Bourne, moviequips.ca. Muppets Most Wanted is rated
G by the Ontario Film Review Board, citing suspenseful situations
with short scenes or glimpses of scary characters or images usually
in comedic, fantasy or historic setting, limited embracing and
kissing, and restrained portrayals of limited violence, and is
rated G by la Régie du Cinéma in Québec. REFERENCE: |
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