The Muppets Most Wanted – Review by Frances Winston

Directed by: James Bobbin

Starring: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, the Great Gonzo, Animal, Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, Ray Liotta, Danny Trejo

In cinemas March 28th Special paid previews 15th , 16th and 17th March

This sequel to 2011’s the Muppets sees the gang back together and deciding they want to make a sequel. However, before they can put their plan into action they meet Dominic Badguy (Gervais) who promises to book them on a world tour that will make them lots of money and put them back at the top of the showbiz world. Although Kermit is reluctant he is outvoted by the rest of the Muppets who all have stars and dollar signs in their eyes and the tour begins – even taking in Dublin’s fair city at one point (which I must admit I found terribly exciting)!

As they play sold out houses and garner rave reviews it looks like Kermit’s doubts were unfounded. However, unbeknownst to them Dominic is actually the number 2 to the world’s greatest criminal Constantine who is Kermit’s doppelganger except for a distinguishing mole on his face. Having escaped from a Siberian GULAG run by Nadya (Fey), Constantine switches places with Kermit who finds himself arrested and imprisoned in a carefully plotted case of mistaken identity. Constantine and Dominic go on a crime spree throughout Europe using the Muppets shows as cover. But with Interpol’s Jean Pierre Napoleon (Burrell) hot on their heels some of the Muppets starting to question Kermit’s strange behaviour the pair must think on their feet or risk exposure.

Anyone who has ever seen an episode of The Muppets knows what to expect and they won’t be disappointed. With catchy songs, colourful characters and a plethora of blink and you’ll miss them celebrity cameos (including Ireland’s own Saoirse Ronan) this will have you smiling from the opening credits. The Muppets have lost none of their charm over the decades and can still enthral and delight audiences both young and old. The story is well executed and the human stars all relish in their roles. Burrell does his best Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau impression playing the bungling Napoleon, Fey plays Nadya totally straight rather than as a caricature as some would have while Gervais completely pokes fun at his usual cocky characters as Constantine’s number two and even engages in a musical number.

This is good old fashioned enjoyable entertainment that is literally fun for all the family. Although I have a feeling many adults will be attending this without children in tow to enjoy a couple of hour’s regression to their childhood!