Muppets: the Pleasantest Film this December

The Muppets is certainly one of the pleasantest films I have seen in a long while.

Although it has its fair share of sad scenes, it strays from the devastation of UP or Toy Story 3. Instead, Kermit, Jason and friends swim on the happy end of the spectrum, and you won’t hear any
complaints.

Ever since the surprisingly wonderful trailer appeared on the scene, children, adults, and our weird-ass liminal selves (college students) alike have been biting our Jason-Segel-fangirl-painted nails in anticipation. Clearly a work of creative genius, Segel comes upon a fundamental quandary halfway through, “Wait, are there Muppets in this movie?!”

Indeed.

There are certainly Muppets; Segel’s own brother is born a Muppet, which the audience finds out in the first five minutes of the film. If that is too ridiculous, this movie might not be for you, although anyone who doesn’t like this movie is honestly probably a sociopath. I myself was slightly wary, but don’t be disturbed. The movie builds on this bizarre foundation with every passing scene, where the audience quickly learns to go with the crazy flow.

Undoubtedly, my favorite thing about this film was the silliness. It certainly didn’t take itself too seriously, but it did  include some mature parts that brought the movie back from ridiculousness (but didn’t totally level it). An unabashedly wonderful dance number to “Life’s a Happy Song,” the correspondingly most pleasant song in existence, a totally unexpected funky fresh rap number, and a return to sobering favorites a la “Rainbow Connection,” coalesce to offer up a well-rounded experience at the theatre. And while the storyline was very simple, over-explanation became almost a stylistic device, prompting very obvious song lyrics that gave parents laughs and kids extra insight.

By no means the best Muppets movie out there, this version will certainly place a sloppy grin on your face that will be difficult to shake. At the very least, Kermit and friends have made a fine family-friendly film with great values, like being there for the people you love and overcoming adversity. Everyone can relate to good, clean stuff like that, especially nestled within hilarious allusions and overt Fonzie Bear classics.