Muppets Most Wanted hits cinemas today and we were lucky enough to get a chance to see what we thought last month at an exclusive special advanced screening at Leicester Square.
There were lots of firsts that cold Sunday morning – first cinema trip for Boo, first time on the tube without a pram (felt sooo free!) and first time in nearly twenty years I went to the cinema with my Mum. I’m happy to report that all went well – although I’ve learnt the best way to ensure a compliant toddler for nearly two hours in the cinema is to bribe said toddler with a the fruits of a balloon modeler’s labour!
The oohs and aahs from Boo as the lights dimmed and the film began were just wonderful to watch and within minutes she was mesmerized, chuckling with happiness when Miss Piggy delivered a witty and painful blow to some poor unfortunate victim.
Under the guidance of their sinister new manager Dominic Badguy, played by Ricky Gervais – it is a French name, pronounced “bad-jee” the Muppets go on a European tour and Kermit is kidnapped and replaced with a lookalike Russian criminal frog. The film then follows the efforts of Kermit to be escape a Serbian Goulag prison all the while his prion warden – Tina Fey grows fonder of him by the day!
I think it’s fair to say that Miss Piggy is not a happy lady – she’s trying to organise the wedding of the year and without the help of Kermit (or is it Constantine?) it’s starting to take it’s toll on her – however before you start to fell sorry for her, just remember that she does indeed end up having a Vivienne Westwood bridal gown.
Are their lots of cameos? Yes. Does this matter? Of course not – For me like millions of people the Muppets is as much an institution as a Sunday roast or mince pies at Christmas. Cameos are for the cools kids in Hollywood and its what we expect when we head to see a movie like this. There’s also lots of singing which unusually doesn’t bother me – what can I say Miss Piggy can bring all the musical mayhem she likes, she knows hot to work it!
Thanks to the Muppets Most Wanted I’ve rediscovered my love for the Kermit and the gang and a whole new (hopefully life long) love affair has been ignited in Boo.
In UK cinemas on March 28
