The Muppets, 2011

The photo shows a movie director's clapboard at nine o'clock, and a serving of popcorn in a red and white bucket at eight o'clock, all against a white background, with a sign that reads "MOVIE TIME" in red letters across the top;"with" in yellow near the middle; and "Jon Ochiai" in red from the center out to three o'clock. Altogether: "Movie Time with Jon Ochiai." At four o'clock, there are five golden colored stars under the name, and at six o'clock, two golden colored movie tickets that read Admit One. Jon Ochiai is the author of the movie review associated with this branded image.

As Kermit the Frog plays his banjo and sings “Rainbow Connection” with his estranged Miss Piggy, I broke into a big smile. “The Muppets” generates retrospective fond memories for me, also reminding me how old I am. Unlike me, The Muppets are timeless.

Jason Segel, a dedicated fan of The Muppets, provides irreverent reverence in “The Muppets” as co-writer and human Gary, who helps get “the band” back together. Jason Segel had his signature Muppet moment with the Count Dracula puppet rock opera in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”. I read a review in “Entertainment Weekly” which brilliantly characterizes “The Muppets” as “unironic humor”. “The Muppets” is refreshingly unique in its innocent transparency much like its endearing characters. “The Muppets” is just fun and funny.

First off, “The Muppets” is a musical—with puppets integrated with humans. I really was not expecting the musical part. We get a clue in the beginning as Jason Segel’s Gary and his schoolteacher girlfriend Mary of 10 years, wonderfully played by Amy Adams, who displays her amazing “Enchanted” gifts; suddenly break into song and dance on the crowded streets of very rural Smalltown, Kansas.

Director James Bobin has a knack at dialing in the musical numbers without a sledgehammer telegraph. When he doesn’t it is intentional. His direction has a distinct charm and follows the natural flow of Segel and Nicholas Stoller’s screenplay. Like Segel, we really get Bobin and Stoller’s love for “The Muppets”. I wonder if The Muppet’s wide-eyed goofiness overcomes the distinguishing retro charm, and crosses over to a new generation. That would be nice. Hearing Gary Newman’s “Cars” blaring on Kermit’s radio as they assemble The Muppets for one last show is funny for my generation. At least Segel and Stoller are humorously self-aware. In one hysterical scene, humorless and spunky Rashida Jones as network programming exec Veronica says, “You guys are not relevant anymore!” She also illustrates on a pull-out chart. Classic.

Part of the ridiculous charm of “The Muppets” is that people and Muppets are integrated unquestionably. Gary has a diminutive younger brother Walter, who looks amazingly like a Muppet, but no one else in the movie seems to notice. Gary lives with Walter, who is a huge Muppets fan. The Muppets speak to him. Walter (voiced by amazing Peter Linz) is gentle and proud in his geek-dom, which is awesome given the current state of bullying. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their relationship, Gary plans a vacation with Mary (Adams) to Los Angeles. However, Walter is also coming along so they can go on The Muppets Studio tour. Earnest Gary is clueless to Mary feeling emotionally threatened by his protective love for his little brother.

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Much to Walter’s chagrin, The Muppets Studios is a deteriorated shell of what it was. Eavesdropping on oil tycoon Tex Richman (hysterically evil Chris Cooper), Walter discovers the dark conspiracy and Richman’s selfish motives for the property. According to the lease Kermit signed, unless The Muppets come up with $10 million, the Studio will belong to Richman. Gary, Mary, and Walter track down Kermit to save the Studio. The Frog seems to have become a recluse in his mansion, joyless in his retirement. There is no Piggy, the love of his life. Walter pleads with Kermit to get the Muppets back together so that they can raise the money with one last show—a telethon. Walter convinces Kermit, “You’re my hero.”

Thus, the journey begins. It is great reuniting with the gang like Fozzy, Gonzo, Scooter, and Dr. Teeth. I especially loved the Animal reunion. We find Animal in an Anger Management 12 Step retreat with his sponsor Jack Black, playing himself. Black is great. Across the Atlantic, Miss Piggy is the Plus-Size Editor of French Vogue in Paris. Emily Blunt is at her “The Devil Wears Prada” best as Piggy’s hot haute Assistant. But apparently, Kermit refuses to admit to Piggy that he specifically needs her, more than just “they need”.

Will the Muppets save the Studio? Will Walter discover the greatness within himself? Will Kermit get off it and be with Piggy? What other celebrities will drop in for cameos? Remember this is “The Muppets”. Things have a way of working out. It is more than just a trip down memory lane. “The Muppets” is fun and loads of laughs. And yes, we still cheer for them after all these years.