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New Muppets Movie Is Terrific

Jason Segel, Amy Adams bring franchise back to life

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 23, 2011 11:17 AM CST

(Newser) – Resurrecting a legendary franchise is a daunting task—but Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and the guys behind Flight of the Conchords have done it with roaring success. In the new Muppets film, the stars track down the Muppets in puppet retirement for a whole new show. (It's got a 98% positive rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.)

“The Muppets won me over, over and over and over again,” writes Christopher Orr in the Atlantic. “Equal parts tender and hilarious, heartfelt and sly,” the movie “is an utter delight, a tidal surge of joyful nostalgia cunningly repackaged and updated.”

Sure, “there are a few stumbles, but not too many,” notes Betsy Sharkey in the Los Angeles Times. Once we arrive at “a showstopping number that asks the burning question—'Am I a man, or a Muppet?'— you are completely hooked.”
“It should be universally acknowledged that a world with Muppets is a better place in which to live,” writes Elizabeth Weitzman in the New York Daily News. If the film can’t bring back the early days of the Muppets, it achieves “an equally worthy aim: reminding us what we’ve been missing.”
In short, “the rainbow connection is a smooth, unbroken arch,” writes Stephen Holden in the New York Times.

[Images (1)]

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In this film publicity image released by Disney, Jason Segel is shown with Kermit and Miss Piggy. (AP Photo/Disney Enterprises, Andrew Macpherson)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

Mad

Nov 23, 2011 4:30 PM CST

It was love at first sight when I initially saw Miss Piggy. Decided that no matter what the woman who voiced her looked like, I was going to fall in love with her, too. Was so crushed when I discovered she is voiced by Frank Oz. Oh well, still love the Muppets and especially Miss Piggy!

ballen

Nov 23, 2011 3:30 PM CST

I know I am going to love this movie!

LoginsSuck

Nov 23, 2011 2:24 PM CST

I read the headline fast and as New Muppets Movie is Terrible. My first thought was who could hate the muppets. Then I read the story and was a bit confused until I re-read the headline. Whew. I am looking forward to taking my kids to see this.

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New Muppets Movie Is Terrific

Jason Segel, Amy Adams bring franchise back to life

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

movie review • Amy Adams • Jason Segel • Muppets

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