‘Muppets’
makes note of this), but it was the first one in awhile. And with Jason Segel, who also co-wrote the script, and Amy Adams on board, it soared.
They’re both gone for “Muppets Most Wanted.” Which is OK — the movies are based on a television show that featured a revolving door of guests, after all. Co-writer Nicholas Stoller returns, however, as does director James Bobin, who wrote this one with Stoller.
But, although this movie has lots of laughs and a willingness to poke fun at itself, it doesn’t quite recapture the magic of the last movie.
The new film begins immediately after the last one ends. Kermit (voice of Steve Whitmire) and the gang are still buzzing with the success of getting everyone back together, so they decide that they need to keep the momentum going.
Kermit thinks the act needs polishing, but the Muppets are quickly recruited by an agent, played by Ricky Gervais with gleeful malice, named Dominic Badguy. (Pronounced “bad-gee,” he explains, because it’s French. Uh-huh.)
Dominic thinks they need to immediately begin an ambitious world tour, playing top venues in international cities, all of which happen to be next to banks or art museums or other places cops might call “highvalue targets.”
That’s because Dominic is actually scheming with his boss, Constantine (Matt Vogel), the world’s most dangerous frog and most-wanted criminal, who is a dead ringer for Kermit.
Constantine has been held in a gulag in Siberia run by Nadya (Tina Fey, barking orders in a stern Russian accent). But he escapes and soon swaps places with Kermit, who is sent back to the gulag, where he helps Nadya organize the talent show to be put on by the fearsome criminals. If you don’t think seeing Danny Trejo do a song-anddance number is funny, then this probably isn’t the movie for you. But it’s pretty great.
Meanwhile, back in various European cities, the Muppets don’t seem to notice that “Kermit” now speaks with a Russian accent, suffers from stage fright and, most obvious of all, is willing to commit to marriage with Miss Piggy (Eric Jacob- son).
As Dominic and Constantine carry out their plan, CIA agent Sam Eagle (Jacobson) and French Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell) are on their trail, sort of. In a recurring bit that’s actually quite funny, Jean Pierre, being French, takes a lot of time off, with breaks, vacations, etc.
Honestly, though, the plot is, as you might expect, just a reason to make one joke after another, and most hit their target. Bobin wisely doesn’t let anything get in the way of that. There is also an absolute mob of big stars making cameos, whose identities won’t be revealed here because that kills the fun. (Do keep an eye out for the Great Escapo, though.)
“The Muppets” was a blast out of nowhere, the return, with updating, of a venerable franchise. “Muppets Most Wanted” by definition can’t bring that same shock to the system. But it’s not for lack of trying, and it makes you hope the franchise continues.