Muppets Most Wanted Movie (2014)

A new generation of Muppet fans was born in 2011 with the release of The Muppets. The film, which turned out to be a sleeper hit, starred Jason Segel and Amy Adams, and it went on to gross over $165 million worldwide. Naturally, Disney decided that maybe it was time for the Muppets to make a major comeback, and plans began for a sequel. In March 2014, Muppets Most Wanted was released in theaters across the country. The new film combines familiar plot elements with fresh gags, and it's a wacky Muppets adventure that's fun for the whole family.


The latest Muppet feature revolves around a criminal mastermind named Constantine--who just happens to look nearly identical to Kermit the Frog. Constantine escapes from a Siberian Gulag and gets Kermit landed in prison in his place. He then teams up with Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) in a plan to steal the Crown Jewels. It's a case of mistaken identity, as the Muppets believe Constantine is actually their beloved leader, and they trust Dominic to manage their world tour.


In addition to Muppet favorites like Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, Gonzo, and Animal, Muppets Most Wanted features the human talents of Ty Burrell as a bumbling Interpol inspector and Tina Fey as the Gulag prison guard, Nadya. In true Muppets fashion, the film also includes cameos from scores of celebrities, each more surprising than the last. The Muppets themselves are controlled and voiced by a number of Jim Henson Company stalwarts, including Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, and Eric Jacobson.


Movie viewers expecting plot twists and surprises are unlikely to be fans of any of the Muppet movies--and Muppets Most Wanted is certainly no exception. The plot for this latest film was lifted largely from past hits like The Great Muppet Caper and The Pink Panther. Still, it's the lovable characters and their zany antics that have always drawn audiences to watch anything featuring the Muppets.


The movie does feature a number of fresh gags and catchy songs that tend to make you forget that the plot is predictable. Though Segel didn't have any involvement with the sequel, almost everyone else from the creative team on The Muppets returned for this film. Composer Bret McKenzie wrote six new tunes, and the Muppets also revived one of their classic hits, "Together Again" from The Muppets Take Manhattan.


Most critics have agreed that Muppets Most Wanted still has the charm and humor that have been a staple of the Muppets' efforts for almost 60 years. It earned a score of 79 percent on the film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, where it was officially given the status "Certified Fresh." Still, this film couldn't quite live up to the magic of its predecessor, which was almost universally praised.


The sequel wasn't as successful at the box office as producers might have hoped (it grossed about $50 million domestically and another $27 million in the international markets after costing about $50 million to make). In fact, Disney actually poked fun at low box office numbers in TV spots following opening weekend in an attempt to draw more people in. Filmmakers have said that they would be interested in making another Muppets film or even a new TV show, but the future of the franchise depends largely on home media sales of Muppets Most Wanted.


As a whole, the latest endeavor starring Kermit and his friends is a worthwhile movie that will entertain audiences of all ages. With memorable performances, a fun story, and a hearty dose of "Muppet mayhem," Muppets Most Wanted lives up to the characters' reputation and is fun for the whole family.