‘Muppets’ sequel charming but lacks emotional connection of first installment
Having not grown up in the time of “The Muppets,” to say its latest foray onto the silver screen evokes nostalgia in me can be construed as a bit odd. Which is fair. But “Muppets Most Wanted” did just that, as did its 2011 predecessor, “The Muppets.” The ability to make me feel connected to a rag-tag group of misfits I have no memory of before 2011 is quite the talent. Alas, “Most Wanted” fails to draw you in the same way the previous installment did, and without that bond, we’re left watching a tribute tour to the Muppets. Take that for what you will.
Taking a decidedly adult turn and keeping up with the youth its once knew, “Most Wanted” takes a foray into truly vintage humor and numerous winks to the audience (at least those of a certain age).
The premise of “Most Wanted” involves the gang, after rocking it in the last movie, deciding to take a world tour and regain some fame. Kermit, ever cautious and modest, would prefer the group get its bearing, take some time and establish some foundation. Remember, it’s been quite some time since their last show. Of course, that plea for patience does little for Kermit, who is outmaneuvered by their new agent Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais).
Badguy, portraying his last name perfectly, has another agenda for the Muppets: He wants to use their tour to help him pull an elaborate jewel heist, and he has no qualms with letting the group take the fall. But first, that requires taking the group’s sanest voice out of the picture, and we find Kermit locked up in a Russian gulag where the warden (Tiny Fey) regularly cracked a heavy whip. His efforts center around escaping the wintery prison while his evil impostor takes the helm of the Muppets and even goes to so far as to proposing to Miss Piggy.
Known for its music, “Most Wanted” doesn’t disappoint. Its songs are brilliant and a ton of fun. Mix that with a slate of celebrity drop-bys — including Lada Gaga, Chloe Grace Moretz, Diddy Combs, Stanley Tucci and many more — and you have yourself a good time. (Ty Burrell, Jermaine Clement, Ray Liotta and Celine Dion make major appearances throughout the film, most of which are hilarious and/or clever.)
In the end, “Muppets Most Wanted,” through its silliness and earnestness, will leave you smiling, and maybe even laughing at times. And though the adults in the room will be laughing the loudest, there’s still plenty of charm and fun for the little ones. Not much more can be said,
Three world-traveling stars out of five.
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Kermit the frog chats with Ricky Gervais in a scene from “Muppets Most Wanted.” (Photo credit: AP photo by Disney Enterprises, Inc., Jay Maidment, file)
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