Review of Muppets Most Wanted (2014) by Owen R — 13 Nov 2014

The Muppets are back for their sixth movie, and it is good to see them again so soon, even if it is not as great as the previous movie. There were twelve years between the last two movies. Thankfully, it only took three years for the follow-up of the much-loved sentimental reunion.

This does not attempt to rekindle that sentimentally from last time. As nice as that emotion was, it is probably a good thing that the Muppets to keep it light this time. They just act silly, have fun, and put on playful musical numbers with celebrity cameos similar to what they always did in the past.

The storyline involves an international fugitive frog named Constantine acting as an imposter to Kermit the frog, as part of an elaborate heist scheme is not the best storyline. For some reason, most of his Muppet friends cannot tell the difference.

At times, this is funny, but the charade goes on a little too long. Ricky Gervais does not add much as Constantine's partner and crime and fraudulent stand in manager. He is not particularly funny or charming.

Despite these bigger issues, not all is lost. Tina Fey greatly helps compensate for Gervais. She plays a Russian a deliciously exaggerated Russian prison guard. In addition, Ty Burrell plays an equally over-the-top French Interpol officer reluctantly teaming up with a rivaling CIA officer played by Sam the Eagle.

Sam and Burrell are the best part of the movie as incompetent feuding detectives trying to catch a series of bank robberies. The big moves are not great, but the Muppets are still just as fun and goofy as ever, and it works.