Life’s a Piece of Pie or A Muppetational New Chapter

I grew up with the Muppets.  Between the Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, the Muppet Babies, the Muppet movies, and Henson’s work in other films and television shows, I would definitely say the Muppets had a big part in raising me.  So, of course, hearing that a new movie was in the works was equal parts wonderful and terrifying.  Wonderful because I thought the Muppets always had the potential for an amazing comeback, and terrifying because with Hollywood’s track record there was a decent chance they would screw it up.

Also, I’ve never been clear on Disney’s intentions with the Muppets, other than being able to pick up a few more bucks from selling new editions of the old works.

Fortunately, Jim Henson’s creations were in very good hands with Jason Segel.  He, along with the talented men and women behind the Muppets, created a movie that fits right in with the Muppet Movie, the Muppets Take Manhattan, and the Great Muppet Caper.  I’m so glad he fought to get this project.  If you had any doubt, perhaps you missed his performance of “Dracula’s Lament” from Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

My biggest fear of this revival was that they were going to “modernize” the Muppets; take away their peaceful attitudes and make them more cynical.  As it turns out, that was a plot point to the movie and the Muppets were trying to fight it along with their new friends Gary (Jason Segel) and his brother Walter (a puppet who is the Muppets’ biggest fan).

This movie is full of Muppet standards; corny jokes, running gags, breaking of the 4th wall, and all those fantastic things we’ve come to expect from the Muppets over the years. And of course there is some brilliant music from Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords)

If you haven’t seen this movie, what is wrong with you?  Afraid you’re too old?  Don’t be.  That’s the beautiful thing about the Muppets, when done right, they never pander to a younger audience.  There is stuff for both old and young.  How many kids today are going to get references to Kermit’s “butler,” 80s Robot?

Seriously, you are missing out on some great moments by not seeing this movie.  Go.  Now!

William, the Movie Nerdfighter

who forgot exactly how much he loved the Muppets until this movie and Disney’s Muppet Vision 3-D reminded him.

Sarah Marshall is Hard to Forget

Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis in love with the same guy?  A geeky guy at that (he wants to write a Dracula musical with puppets)?  Egads, it’s like a fantasy.

 

Seriously though, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is absolutely hilarious.  Bell and Kunis, as well as being beautiful, are both extremely capable actresses who create very real characters.  Jason Segel is great as Peter, who is taking the break-up with Sarah Marshall (Bell) very hard.  There’s a lot of crying and self-loathing going on, and Segel does it brilliantly.

Also, I’ve now seen much more of Jason Segel than I EVER wanted to.  He’s very comfortable “in the raw” as it were.

Bill Hader plays Peter’s step-brother Brian, and the two actors (as well as Segel’s writing) play it like they actually are related.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention Russell Brand.  God, he plays the stereotypical rock star to a tee, but what’s really brilliant is that he’s not really a conceited guy.  The whole time he just wants to be Peter’s friend.  Aldous (his character) is a real “bygones” kind of guy.

 

One thing that really struck me with this movie was that I know someone going through the exact same situation right now (minus the Hawaiian vacation), so it really showed that Segel wrote and performed it just like someone going through this would (especially seeing a picture or a piece that was special between the couple).  Also, the reaction of seeing that person with someone new is just dead-on.

Anyway, it’s worth checking out if you haven’t seen it yet (but based on how behind I am on my movies, I’m probably the last one).

 

William, the Movie Nerdfighter

who would have a hard time deciding between Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis (and knows it’s extremely unlikely that the choice would ever present itself).