The Muppets review

It's a great pleasure to report that this wonderfully enjoyable film lives up to the buzz. It's smart, funny and will put a broad smile on your face, although it does lack the real belly laughs that would make it perfect.

The hype...
Having been released to a great fanfare in the US, we've had to wait for what seems like an age for 'The Muppets' to reach our shores. We've seen clips and trailers for a while now, none of which have diminished our interest. There are new characters to warm to, and a rogue’s gallery of Muppets to recall, so lets get on with the show!

The story...
Two brothers have grown up loving the Muppets. The lovable Walter has always been a bit 'different', and his affection for the characters he has seen on the screen has never diminished. He is arguably their biggest fan.

His sibling Gary (Jason Segel) has moved on somewhat, but still cares very much for his brother. So much so, that when he takes his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) on an anniversary trip to Los Angeles, he also brings along Walter and promises to visit The Muppets Studio with him.

Unfortunately times have been tough on the old gang. An oil baron by the name of Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) plans to raze the studio to the ground and drill for black gold. Walter is mortified by the plan, and with the help of Gary he finds Kermit and pleads for assistance. Soon they are on the road and looking for the old gang so that they can put on a show, buy back the studio and save the day.

Gary and Mary, meanwhile, have problems of their own, and it's the relationships between all the characters that threaten to ruin everything.  

The breakdown...
Confession time. We're not massive fans of the Muppets. Sure they could pull in some big stars back in the day - a tradition they've kept up in this cinematic outing - and of course we know them by proxy, but in all honesty we can't remember the live-action TV show. We're more familiar with the later, animated variation, 'The Muppet Babies'.

Well there is certainly a nostalgic feel to everything as the heartfelt love fans display for the Muppets is translated onto the big screen.

Jason Segel makes no secret of his feelings either, and it provides a warmth felt throughout the film. The big name cameos come thick and fast, some of them so apt that it is hard to imagine any other group of characters having enough allure to draw them in.

The characters are all wonderfully played. The relationships between them seem well fostered, but not to the point of alienating any newcomers. Kermit and Fozzie are best mates, Miss Piggy yearns for the frog despite her tough exterior, and the others all have quirks of personality that made them as endearing to us as to their hardcore fans.

The human element is well placed too. Adams is as enchanting as her 'Enchanted' character was, and Cooper hurls himself into the villain role with amazing skill. Look out for his unabashed rap number to verify this.

It all comes together wonderfully. There are moments where you expect something 'bigger' to happen, but we're happy with the cosy feeling we got. It will warm your soul.

The verdict...
You'll feel waves of nostalgia and a great sense of relief that 'The Muppets' is everything you had hoped for. There are plenty of enjoyable moments, and some incredibly catchy songs to hum along to, so let's not dwell on the small flaws. This is a kid’s film that the grown-ups will definitely enjoy more than the youngsters.

Rating: 4/5

'The Muppets' will be released across the UK on 10 February. Certificate: U