Muppets Most Wanted Review

The Plot:

Having reunited and re-established their fame The Muppets are convinced by a smooth talking agent Dominic Badguy to set out on a world tour. But when the world’s most dangerous Frog Constantine breaks out of a Siberian prison the Muppets find themselves caught up in his evil schemes and another elaborate crime caper, pursued by Interpol and the CIA.

The Good:

The Muppets made a long overdue but triumphant return to the big screen in 2011. Director James Bobin and musician Brett McKenzie recaptured much of the magic of the Muppets that had once appeared lost with the untimely passing of Jim Henson. Rescuing the franchise from inferior quality straight to DVD efforts the last film was a heartfelt homage to the original charms of his beloved creations. Muppets Most Wanted happily continues that revitalisation.

Music has always been one of the Muppets most effective tools for demonstrating their unique combination of whimsy and humour. Opening number We’re Doing a Sequel is a catchy encouraging start and the songs that follow are all likely to provoke big smiles. A lavish musical homage to a Siberian prison, cheesy love ballad I’ll Get You What You Want and a final reprise of classic Muppet track Together Again are among the toe tapping highlights.

The Muppets have also always been able to rely on cameos from an array of famous faces. The Muppets are so universally popular that the likes of Lady Gaga, James McAvoy, Tom Hiddleston and Céline Dion will gladly drop everything for just a brief appearance. Armed with their resurgent popularity Muppets Most Wanted is easily the most star packed of all the Muppets adventures.

Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey do fine work in more substantial human roles, both clearly relishing every moment they get to play alongside their childhood heroes. Though easily and consistently outshone but their Muppet co-stars they clearly don’t seem to mind.

New villainous Muppet Constantine is also great fun. The evil frog that bears an uncanny resemblance to Kermit is a mischievous delight, complete with a garbled Russian accent and amusing mean steak.

The Bad:

While Flight of the Conchord’s funnyman Brett McKenzie returns to provide an array of entertaining songs for the new sequel in truth they don’t quite match the memorable charms of his Oscar winning efforts in the last film. Although there’s plenty to smile about and a few catchy moments at times it perhaps lacks the heart that made songs like Rainbow Connection and Man or Muppet so effective.

Overall that is perhaps the only criticism to be made of Muppets Most Wanted; it’s slightly lacking the cohesive emotional narrative of the Muppets 2011 return. Unlike its nostalgia infused predecessor Muppets Most Wanted is a throwback to the straightforward silliness of the usual Muppet adventures, its charming fun but without quiet as much emotional subtext and sentimental impact.

Devoted Muppet fans may perhaps also be a little disappointed to see popular characters like Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat and Pepe the King Prawn once again given minimal screen time. As the latest film continues the trend of giving prominence to key figures like Kermit, Fozzie and Miss Piggy.

The Ugly Truth:

In a world of cynicism and overblown CGI it’s a heart-warming delight to have the tangible whimsy of the Muppets back on the big screen. Lifelong fans and the newest generation of captivated kids will welcome the latest dose of well-polished Muppet musical madness.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trailer

Today Michael Bay continues his quest to systematically convert your memories of beloved  toys into inevitably disappointing but embarrassingly lucrative films. Here is the first official look at the new live action/CGI Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.

The teaser trailer confirms in just 90 seconds what many had long expected/feared. Producer Michael Bay has precisely followed his trademark formula to bring you essentially a Transformers remake with Turtles instead of robots. See for yourself below:

 

Madonna To Direct Ade: A Love Story

Madonna is set to direct her third feature film, adapting Rebecca Walker’s book Ade: A Love Story. Walker is the daughter of The Color Purple author Alice Walker and is reportedly attached to produce the big screen adaptation of her debut novel.

The book centers on a troubled romance between an American student and young muslim man on a remote island paradise. With their initial passions complicate by a clash of cultures.

Madonna’s previous track record as a director has certainly failed to live up to the massive success of her seemingly never-ending pop music career. Her last directorial effort W.E. was a critical and commercial disaster of infamous proportions. The  historical biopic documenting the relationship between Edward VII and Wallis Simpson was slammed by damning reviews and took less than million dollars worldwide.

 

24: Live Another Day Trailer

The return of the world’s most fatigued and gravel voiced Counter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer at last has a real trailer. Fox have released this one minute teaser for the new 24  mini-series 24: Live Another Day. After years in hiding as an international fugitive Bauer resurfaces in London in an effort to stop a political assassination. As thing quickly escalate and get increasingly explosive Jack clearly has to reluctantly get back to doing what he does best, saving the world with a handgun and angry phone calls…

Muppets Most Wanted Press Conference

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Constantine, Ricky Gervais and Director James Bobin spoke about The Muppets sequel Muppets Most Wanted in London for an in depth press conference. The Stars and creative team behind the family friendly sequel told us all about working with the ultimate diva Miss Piggy, dance moves, relationship advice, all star celebrity cameos and filming on location in the Tower of London. Read a full transcript below of the hilarious UK press conference.

Q. Kermit how did it feel to be an action star in this film?

Kermit: I think of myself as kind of getting to do a bit of an action role in this. It’s something I haven’t done before. In order to prepare for that role I watched all of Bruce Willis’s movies. When that didn’t work I just went to his hairdresser.

Q. Ricky How much of a dream come true was this job?

Ricky: It’s not a job is it. This is fun. I’m a big kid and I can’t believe my luck. I’ve been a fan of the Muppets for 30 years. I used to watch them on Sundays with my family. So this was a good call to get. I didn’t know this guy (Constantine) before but now he’s one of my best pals.

Constantine: That is right we are buddies. You will give me your email address right? I kep asking for it but he does not give it. How are we supposed to stay in touch if you do not give email address!?

Ricky: I think about Constantine a lot. I say to my girlfriend… I wonder where Constantine is today… it’s usually in a bag.

Constantine: This is Right!

Q. Constantin what does it feel like for everyone to hate you.

Ricky: Wow.. That’s usually my question!

Constantine: Ricky you want to field this one? Well you know being the bad guy… oh it’s such a tough question to answer. There is part of me that kind of enjoyed being the bad guy and enjoyed being hated. I was written that way so what can I say.

Kermit: Lady Gaga did a song about that. I have to say though we don’t hate him. It’s sort of just a story from the movie, he’s actually an old pal from the swamp. Ricky is his best friend now and he’s a good guy.

Ricky: In the movie he’s evil but I think doing this movie and meeting me has thawed his little heart of stone. You see he was born in a pond in Russia one of 800 brothers and sisters. All tadpoles. Many of them dead, eaten by fish! But showing him love has made him quite a cuddly little thing.  (Tickles Constantine under his chin)

Constantine: (Laughs uncontrollably) stop it stop it. Do NOT tickle me!

Q. Ricky how did it feel being oustaged by the Muppets?

Ricky: I knew it was going to happen.  I knew from day one. The first thing that worried me in the script was the song and dance number. I’m okay at singing. I’m a failed pop star. I always sneak a song in. I wrote a song with David Brent, I’m still doing it. I wrote a song with David Bowie for extras. I wrote a song in Sesame Street with Elmo. The Simpsons. But dancing… a little bit awkward. Then I thought it’s alright there’s going to be frog on screen dancing, they’re not really going to be caring what you’re doing with your clumsy little short legs. It was sort of meant to be awkward as well. But I love being upstaged by the Muppets. I ruined a lot of takes by jus laughing. One I just went “Hehehe I’m In the Muppets!”. They yelled cut and said yes you are in the Muppets so let’s do that again and just don’t say that!

Q. Constantine are you worried about being typecast?

Constantine: Well you know the one thing I’m really worried about are authorities catching up with me. And also my face being plastered everywhere. So I think maybe I need to change my career path. Maybe I will be an agent in Hollywood!    Does this sound good?

Ricky: Yeah you could do that.. anyone can.

Q. How do you feel about people the word Muppet as an insult?

Kermit: Well we’re sort of like a rep company. I’m not a species called Muppet, I’m a frog. I belong to a group called the Muppet and quite frankly… I see the point. They’re a little slow.

Ricky: Yeah, it’s sort of a term of affection as well. You call someone a Muppet when they’ve made an error. We’ve all made mistakes, especially the Muppets and that’ why we love them. It’s a term of affection.

Kermit: I think there are worse things to be called!

Ricky: I’ve got a list!

Q. In the movie we see you paying off a journalist for good reviews, is that quite accurate in real life?

Ricky: Do you want some money? Just say it! (Takes out a handful of money) I don’t think so. I think everything is heightened. I was with an Irish journalist yesterday and he mentioned about Irish people in the film wearing flat caps. I did an episode of Alias that wasn’t a joke and it was meant to be set in a pub in Dublin. All that was missing was a horse! There was straw on the floor, people smoking pipes it looked like the 1950s. But it was just heightened; it’s playing with stereotypes if anything.

Q. Did you envoke the character of David Brent for any of your dance moves?

Ricky: I did that song and dance many times, most of it was choreographed but that bit was ad libbed. That’s my best dancing!

Q. Was Ricky harder to work with than the Muppets?

Constantine: No there was only one character who was really hard to work with. Everybody knows who it is. Let’s Just get it out in the open… (Miss Piggy Arrives) … Right on cue Pig!

Miss Piggy: I’m here everyone it is I. My ears are burning, where you talking about Moi? Hello Ricky… Hello person over there…

Kermit: This is Edith Piggy… she’s not with me for the record.

Q. Kermit and Piggy I’m about to get married next week and I wondered as one of the world’s most high profile celebrity couples if you had any advice. Piggy for my beautiful soon to be wife and Kermit for me as a husband?

Piggy: I think I need some advice from you and you’re lovely because you’re engaged and I’m not!

Kermit: I advise full compliance. I think it’s the only way to go in a modern Marriage. But are you marrying a barnyard animal or a human woman?

Just a beautiful human woman

Kermit: Oh good… well it still applies!

Ricky: Have you noticed in the Muppet movies when they get married and have children it’s ether a frog or a pig there’s no hybrid weird abominations. We’ve got three frigs and a pog!

Q. Ricky what’s the true spirit of the Muppets?

Ricky: I think trying your hardest and optimism and the acceptance of difference, which isn’t even commented on other than being a good thing. I like the fact that they struggle. I do that a lot in comedy it’s essential. I learnt that from Laurel and Hardy. They were precarious, they called fall at any moment but I loved the relationship. Optimism is another thing I’ve always supported. I like David Brent because he made a fool of himself but then he got back up and I think that’s the spirit of the Muppets. It’s fun deconstructing that for an adult audience. Not cynicism but that awareness of this magical world.

Director: Try your best is very important to the Muppets. That’s very important to the Muppets and even our human stars. I don’t want you to be able to sing and dance perfectly I just want you to try your best. That’s lucky for you Ricky!

Piggy: The real spirit of the Muppets in flawless beauty.

Q. The film is packed with star cameos how do they come about?

Director: Well largely we write those in at a script stage. We even write the name of the particular person down. Usually we find because there’s such a great love out there for the Muppets people tend to say yes. I’ve done it a lot of other times and it doesn’t go that way. It’s amazing when we write for someone to be Piggy’s spiritual advisor and duet with her. We think who would be perfect for that… of course Celine Dion. We call her up and she’s like yeah of course I’ll do that no problem. That never ever happens and it’ amazing.

Q. Can you explain why Rolf talks but Fou Fou doesn’t?

Kermit: Well Fou Fou is just a pet, she’s hardly sentient. Rolf is an old piano playing dog. I don’t think we need to explain it any further!

Q. Having done so many different types of films I there a genre you’d like to explore for the next Muppets adventure?

Ricky: The best genre is obviously sequel, everyone knows that. As we know films get better and better with every sequel… Rocky 6, Grease 2, Godfather Part 3. So we’re just looking forward to the next sequel, whatever it is. Muppets Less wanted.

Director: It doesn’t really matter what it is because often the Muppet movies don’t really follow in sequence anyway. They’ve done everything so it could really be anything.

Kermit: I’m personally hoping for Muppets Well rested. That would be really good. Yes… yes.

Q. How difficult was it to work with the constant beauty of Miss Piggy as a distraction on set?

Ricky: Honestly….um

Director: Don’t worry Ricky she can’t reach you!

Kermit: Now you guys know how I feel like all the time!

Ricky: I want Constantine to answer this!

Constantine: I’m sorry I was not paying attention… how was it to work with Pig and her constant beauty?

Piggy: I’m distracting in this press conference even. You can’t take your eyes off me can you boys?

Ricky: Constantine you had to pretend to love her in the movie didn’t you

Constantine: Yes it was my BEST ACTING!

Ricky: I had to help him out after the scene by doing this…. (sticks his tounge down Constantine’s mouth)

Constantine: (Bleergh cough cough) I Knew that was going to come sometimes! Hey Ricky did you have salad for lunch? That’s what it taste like!

Ricky: I’d love to do that with real mates.

Q. Ricky you’ve worked with a lot of the leading actresses in Hollywood, how does Piggy compare?

Ricky: She’s a bigger diva and I think she won’t mind me saying that she takes it as a compliment. That she talk about herself all the time!

Piggy: Not all the time, if other people are talking about me I’ll be quiet

Ricky: (puts on Miss Piggy voice) “Oh Kermy.. does this dress make me look fat?” No Piggy all the pies do.

Piggy: hahaha!

Q. Who Inspired you guys growing up?

Kermit: I think for me it was probably the great American actor Walter Brenan. Nobody has a clue who I’m talking about. But I was inspired by so many people. I had great grandparents. Old frogs are great. I’m struggling for an answer here. Help me Ricky give me something funny

Constantine: There is great safe cracker named Thomas the knuckle O’Brian there explosive expert he is Thomas the toenail Lewis.

Ricky: You love Al Pacino too don’t you. Do your impression of him

Contastine: Oh I love Al pacinos. I do his famous line for movie. (puts on weird voice that sound nothing like Al Pacion) “Oh I am Al Pacinos from the Godfather movies I go outside and then I gotta get back inside”.

Kermit: I think that was more cappuccino than Al Pacino.

Piggy: Well Moi is an inspiration to everyone of course and even to me myself. Before I go on stage or on camera I always just look in the mirror.

Kermit: Then look the other way very quickly and just keep on going!

Q. Did you really film at the Tower of London?

Director: Famously you’re not allowed to film in the Tower of London and they’ve turned down everyone who’s asked to film there before. But suddenly you turn up with Muppets and ask for favour people change their minds. So we actually got to film there for three or four days which was amazing. So maybe someone in the royal family is a big Muppets fan.

Piggy: I had to sign so many autographs!

Q. Ricky you had a cameo in the last Muppets movie cut, were you surprised to be asked back?

Constantine: this will be a good time for Ricky and the director to hash this out.

Ricky: It wasn’t really a role it was me and Billy Crystal turning up as ourselves. The host of the Oscars and the Golden Globes. But James told me and I agreed that you can’t put it in there just because you filmed it. They film about 4 hours of this to cut down.

Kermit: the Good thing about our director James is he tells you that before you shoot the scene. We’re not going to use this but please come by.

Q. Ricky given your newfound friendship with Constantine have you thought about planning an idiot abroud special with him and Karl?

Ricky: I see a lot of similarities. Little round head and up there is where the brain would be if the head didn’t stop. I’d do anything with Constantine. I would travel the world wth Constantine.

Constantine: We will not go to France though!

Ricky: No we don’t have to ever go to France, but I would host the Oscars with Constantine

Constantine: Okay let’s make it happen!

Q. Constantine what qualities do you look for in a number 2?

Constantine: This is good question. You must have evil snarl like Ricky Gervais has. You must have opposable thumbs to move things around. Also library card so you can check out books for evil plotting. But you always make sure to return the books; I am evil criminal not disrespectful to library system.

Q. Ty Burrell form Modern Family plays a very French detective in the film what inspired that?

Director: He’s an amalgamation of every French character ever. When you have Sam eagle being a patriotic American you need the Frenchest French person as a foil for him. So I told Ty just to be the most super French person ever, don’t bother about what region of France he comes from.  Just do that and it works perfectly well.

Q. Are there any other fictional characters the Muppets would like to team up with?

Kermit: It’s tough because we’re the only ones these days who aren’t computer generated in the fictional world. So they’re not really there. It would be tough to work with them.

Constantine: You could not see them at press conference.

Kermit: If we were those guys here’s what the press conference would be…
(Kermit and Constantine duck down under the table disappearing. Miss Piggy looks  around confused).

Piggy: What! I’m real… okay parts of me aren’t real… this nose for instance.

Constantine: Gervais wig isn’t real.

Gervais: That’s an important point actually because I’ve just done Night At the Museum 3 with Ben Stiller and there’s scenes where all the animal comes to life, but they’re not really there. So Ben spent 6 weeks running around talking to a tennis ball on a  stick. But with the Muppets your acting with these guys The timing and affection makes a difference.

Constantine: You cannot stick your finger down tennis ball’s throat.

Kermit: You could never host the Oscars with a tennis ball!