The Muppets (2011)

On the the foxbusiness.com show "Follow the Money", host Eric Bolling and Dan Gainor, of the conservative Media Research Center, criticized "The Muppets" for its portrayal of a successful oil businessman (Tex Richman, played by Chris Cooper) as a villainous, money grubbing evildoer.  They singled the movie out as being part of the Hollywood liberal agenda, yet another attempt to brainwash kids with pinko socialist thoughts.  Having seen the movie a couple of times, and having heard these arguments, I have come one basic, inescapable conclusion -

Watching movies with Eric Bolling and Dan Gainor is absolutely no fun. 

Just shut up and watch the movie, guys.  Yes, I'm fully aware that Darth Vader and the evil Galactic Empire can be interpreted as a negative criticism of corporate America.  Stuff some popcorn in your pie hole and go blog about it, AFTER the movie.  I know that Hollywood is largely liberal, and that artistic types also tend to pour their personal feelings into their art, so I am aware that a bias exists - but I DON'T CARE.  I love "The Muppets", it's one of my favorite movies of 2011.  I also love the TV show "24", which is about as right-wing as you can get.  Teach your kids to think for themselves, stop this needlessly divisive politicmongering (yes it's a real word, because I just made it up).  Besides, it's not as if evil oil businessmen have ever existed in real life, right?  Go away.

Okay, I'm done.  I hate politics, especially these days.  So now back to the movie.  I've decided to post some of the many trailers for the movie, which are parodies of other movie trailers, all funny.  It's my favorite ad campaign of the year, no doubt created by some hippie liberal scumbag marketing whiz over at Disney.  Thank you, scumbag!

That first trailer gobsmacked my ass when I first saw it in theaters.  Surprised the heck outta me.

Jason Segel and the always adorable Amy Adams play Gary and Mary, a loving couple who decide to celebrate their 10th anniversary (of dating) by going on a trip to Los Angeles.  The only problem - Gary's Muppet brother Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) tags along, much to Mary's chagrin.  Walter worships the Muppets (he and Gary watched "The Muppet Show" religiously, as kids), so Gary decides to surprise him with a tour of the Muppet Studios.  Unfortunately, the lot has become rundown and the Muppets, no longer famous, have all gone their separate ways.  To make matters worse, evil businessman Tex Richman has discovered oil beneath the theater and is planning to demolish the entire area.  So Gary, Mary and Walter must reunite the Muppets and raise enough money to buy the land back from Tex, or else.

Here's their parody of "The Hangover Part 2" trailer -

So that's the plot.  The rest is straightforwardly refreshing humor, Muppets-style.  Writers Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, as well as director James Bobin, are all clearly of the Muppet Generation (as am I), and if you have fond memories of "The Muppet Show" or the original Muppet movie trilogy, then it's a safe bet that you will love this (and get a little bit misty-eyed, as well).

Here's the "Green Lantern" parody trailer -

And, thanks the the new Muppet character of Walter, newbies have their very own gateway into the Muppetverse.  In the showings I've been to, the adults in the audience seemed to enjoy the movie more than the kids.  Case in point:  as soon as four Muppet characters began performing a barbershop quartet version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", I knew exactly who this movie was aimed at.  The kids also seemed to have fun, for the most part.  This is an unconventional film for this modern age - it relies more on witty dialogue and good old fashioned sight gags rather than a constant barrage of fast-paced empty mayhem, like most kid movies these days.

Now for the parody of that excellent "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" trailer -

The musical numbers are well done (my favorite is "Muppet or Man"), and there are celebrity cameos galore (Jack Black gets the most screen time - the Muppets kidnap him and force him to host their fundraiser/variety show).  The negatives?  The "human" story of Gary and Mary's relationship, so strongly at the forefront in the beginning, kind of slips into the background as the story goes on, with the Muppets taking center stage (as they should).  Funny, though - I liked those characters and wanted to see more of them.  But that would have meant less Muppet time.  And I wish there was more of Beaker and the Swedish Chef.  They get their moments, but, you know, I'm just a wishful fan. . .

Here's the climactic trailer -

In conclusion, it's very funny, heartwarmingly nostalgic, and a welcome change from high-tech CG animals.  Speaking of CG animation, "The Muppets" is preceded by a hilarious "Toy Story" short from Pixar (God bless D.J. Bluejay).  I highly recommend.