The Falcon Flyer

It may not be easy being green, but it seemed almost effortless for The Muppets to pull together another movie after 12 years out of the theatrical world. With the full cast, including a few new members, they were able to pull off yet another Muppets extravaganza.

When it comes to The Muppets, they never fall short of going above and beyond in theatricality. With various musical numbers, obscure jokes, and the multitude of celebrity appearances, the entire production was a parody within a theatrical show within a movie.

Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) played one of the starring (human) roles of the movie, as Gary, a happy-go-lucky Muppet fan that lives with his Muppet brother, Walter (performed by Peter Linz), and longtime girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams). Segel’s character, although a little cheesy and overdone, fits in well with the theme of the movie. Walter, Gary’s non-human brother, on the other hand, is portrayed as a Muppet stuck in the human world, longing to become a part of The Muppets.

The three Muppet enthusiasts, Walter, Gary, and Mary, embark on an escapade to LA, where they take down a nefarious TV producer, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), who is out to destroy Muppet Studios. In order to reunite the entire Muppet crew, it took a few celebrity appearances, such as Kristin Schaal, Neil Patrick Harris, and Sarah Silverman- and an intense musical montage. Along the way, The Muppets kidnap Jack Black, interrupt an Anger Management class, and travel to Paris in 30 seconds.

The storyline of the movie as a whole, seemed scattered, but the sporadic approach was actually an attribute to the movie. The unpredictability of the plot created an overall serendipitous mood.

Adding to the Muppet experience, there were parodies littered throughout the film, poking fun at a wide range of things. A group of Muppet chickens squawk out an a capella of the song “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green. Black and Animal make fun of anger management; even the various dance numbers in the movie are making fun of musicals in general.

Humorous as it was, the movie was able to show its heartwarming side as well, with Kermit and Miss Piggy’s duet. In almost every Muppet movie and Episode, Miss Piggy and Kermit have always wrapped things up with one of their famous duets. The dynamic duo did not disappoint this time singing “It’s Time for Our Song”.

Although it may not be the same as “The Muppets Christmas Carol”, the movie was like an onion that slowly unraveled layer by layer, each layer better than the preceding.