The Muppets Take Back Their Stage, and it's Showtime

It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights. It's time to meet the Muppets. Those are the opening lines to the theme song for The Muppet Show, a 1970s television program that showcased the late Jim Henson's popular puppet creations. Those of you who were around back then had the privilege of viewing such amiable characters that were full of gusto. I wasn't around in the disco era; but being a child of the '90s, my appreciation for Kermit and the gang stemmed from some of their other feature films from back then, such as The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets from Space.

In director James Bobin's nostalgic comedy, The Muppets, he revives the life that these puppets embraced and brings them back into the limelight that all of them, especially Miss Piggy, always strived for. After a 12-year hiatus from movie theaters, the Muppets make a cordial and musical return to the glorious land that is Hollywood.

Gary (Jason Segel) and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) are brothers and the best of friends living in Smalltown, USA. Over their childhood years, Gary introduces his brother to The Muppet Show, and he instantly becomes their most devoted fan. They are now older, and Gary is in a relationship with his long-time girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams). When Gary treats Mary with a trip to the famed Muppet Studios in Los Angeles for their tenth anniversary, he decides to bring Walter along, who is elated for the opportunity. But his sense of joy is soon crushed when he overhears a greedy oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), plans to demolish the dilapidated studios and convert it to a drilling site. Once Walter reveals this to Gary and Mary, they seek out Kermit, who then recruits them to help him find and reunite the Muppets. They soon devise a plan to host a telethon in their old theater to raise money and help save it from destruction.

After starring in several R-rated comedies and the hit show How I Met Your Mother, Jason Segel doesn't waste any time with this chance to broaden his appeal from adults to children. After being highly underused in this summer's comedy Bad Teacher, he returns to his affable charm that's reinforced by his interactions with the Muppets. Amy Adams, with her luminous disposition and voice as sweet as geloto, once again confirms herself to be one of film's most endowed starlets. Having Segel and Adams work together reminded me of a couple you would watch in a romantic movie-musical of the '50s or '60s. Being able to act, sing and dance, these love birds are triple threats.

There is a wealth of supporting roles and celebrity cameos. Chris Cooper is just enough of a kooky villain to make his character entertaining; but gratefully, he doesn't become too over-the-top and irritating. He is a dastardly oil magnate with a penchant for maniacal laughter. Rashida Jones plays the reluctant and daunting network executive who eventually gives the Muppets a chance to air their telethon. Alan Arkin is a bored-out-of-his-mind tour guide for the Muppet Studios. The always-reliably funny Jack Black makes an appearance, but as what, is a secret. Among the cameos, there is Sarah Silverman as a snide diner host; and Mickey Rooney, as a Smalltown, USA resident, adds a touch of classical Hollywood. I won't reveal any more visitors, but there is a fantastic bunch.

As wonderfully wide-ranging as the human cast is, the Muppets are the real stars of the show. Kermit the Frog, the amphibious leader of the pack, carries us back to our childhoods the moment he shows up in his first scene. His amorous partner, Miss Piggy, is as assertive as ever, and doesn't let anyone get in the way of what she wants, including the attention. Gonzo returns with his dangerous circus tricks and loyal chickens. Fozzie Bear is back with his scores of jokes and his characteristic catchphrase, "Wocka Wocka Wocka." Animal, the feral drummer returns with all of his anger issues. Statler and Waldorf are back on their balcony as the two old men who joyfully criticize whatever they are watching.

Thankfully, the filmmakers didn't feel the need to cram in too many new Muppets, despite their lengthy absence from the big screen. The latest additions, however, deserve their roles in Jim Henson's puppet squad. Walter is a young chap with hope in his heart and a pocket full of dreams. There is also a Muppets tribute band called "The Moopets." Think of them as a gang of anti-Muppets. Where the Muppets are on one side of the happiness spectrum, the Moopets are falling off the edge of the other side.

The film employs a colorful arrangement of original songs. The opening number, "Life's a Happy Song," is a cheery and upbeat musical ray of sunshine. "Pictures In My Head" is Kermit's sincere song of remembrance for the Muppets' former stardom. When not being paid attention to by their boyfriends, Amy Adams and Miss Piggy perform "Me Party," which is a fun song about enjoying the times when you're flying solo.

The Muppets also bring out some '80s and '90s hits. As they are restoring their theater to its previous splendor, they belt out Starship's "We Built This City." It is in this scene that we know the Muppets are back in action. At one point, the Muppets Barbershop Quartet croons Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." But it's when you see Kermit on the stage with his banjo and company of friends singing their timeless tune, "Rainbow Connection," that your nostalgia reaches its zenith. Even if you have never seen The Muppet Show, you have probably heard this endearing showstopper at some point in your life. It will leave you happily teary-eyed and will melt your heart like butter on a hot piece of toast.

Although the plot bears some similarities to Disney's 2002 family film, The Country Bears, it has better quality with The Muppets. The crucial reason is that the latter movie involves characters that many people have come to love over the last few decades; whereas the former movie is just based on a non-too-memorable Disney World attraction.

The screenplay by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, both of who scribed recent comedies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, show that they can create comical situations that can appeal to the children's crowd, but also keep their usual adult crowd as well. However, many of the jokes will resonate more with the 18-and-older audience members, since they are the age demographic that grew-up with the Muppets when they were still prominent in the pop culture scene.

Being fluent in the art of show business, The Muppets were never a group that lowered themselves to cheap, immature gags that were solely aimed at children. Everyone can celebrate with this welcome-back party for the Muppets, and there is a generous bouquet of laughs that can be reached by all viewers. This film also acts as an acceptable gateway for those younger moviegoers that are just beginning to get into the Muppets.

I can't remember the last time I smiled during an entire movie; but The Muppets delivered that feeling back to me, and it's that type of experience that makes going to the movies a remarkably joyous experience. For 90 minutes, I took a nostalgic trip back to my childhood. Having not watched this lively cast of characters for some time, I felt as though I was being introduced to them again, and it was a heart-tugging reunion. The Muppets have followed us into our adult years. We haven't forgotten about them, and it's clear they haven't forgotten about us.

Final grade: A-