MM Matt Malliaros

It’s not easy being a sequel. However, The Muppets made it look easy. Muppets Most Wanted is a hilarious adventure with a classic crime drama twist. With a fantastic cast, hilarious jokes, catchy tunes, and captivating plot, Muppets Most Wanted is a hit through and through. Come on in and Check out my review!

On the heels of their first big comeback movie, Kermit and the gang want to capitalize on their renewed fame. Enter Show Producer Dominic Badguy (pronounced in a French style as Badge-wi), played by Ricky Gervais. Dominic persuades the Muppets to go on a worldwide tour. Meanwhile, a devious escape is happening at the Gulag in Russia, and we are introduced to the Most Dangerous Frog in the World, Constantine. When we rejoin the Muppets, they are making their first tour stop in the comedy capital of Europe. However, Berlin is more famous for its torn down wall, and it is here that Constantine makes the first move of his malicious plan to steal the Crown Jewels.

After Kermit takes a walk through the streets of Berlin to clear his head, he comes face to face with a hooded frog that slaps him. The slap glues a mole onto Kermit’s lip, causing the authorities to believe that he is Constantine. With Kermit out of the way, Constantine and his #2 take over the Muppets. Using the group as a cover, Constantine and #2 are free to commit all the crimes necessary to get one step closer to the Crown Jewels.

Along with being an egomaniac and psychopath, Constantine serves as a surprisingly amusing comic relief. From putting down his #2 to tricking the Muppets into believing he is Kermit, Constantine brings some of the best moments of the film. With each crime comes a hilarious scene featuring Interpol Agent Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell). Napoleon is a very welcome highlight of Muppets Most Wanted as he portrays the stereotypical French man, from taking 6 hour lunch breaks to flirting with Miss Piggy.

Another highlight is Gulag Warden Nadya (Tina Fey). Nadya is a cold woman who lives on the pain of others. However, she changes after meeting the one man that she always loved, Kermit the Frog. While staying in the Gulag, she forces Kermit to help her with the Annual Gulag Revue to bring joy and cheer to the prison guards, not so much the prisoners. Nadya’s insane love for Kermit is a high point in an otherwise bleak place. Of course, as in every great Muppet movie, there are cameos from some of Hollywood’s finest. Here we are treated to Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Stanley Tucci, Sean Combs, James McAvoy, Ray Liotta, Zach Galifianakis, Tom Hiddleston, Salma Hayek, Celine Dion, and even Danny Trejo as Danny Trejo.

While this movie is entertaining, the only part that I didn’t enjoy was the very end. The story is finished, the plot is resolved, and the Muppets are singing their last tune on the Gulag wall. To me, it was a weak way to end a strong movie. I would have enjoyed the tune more if it was played during the credits. Unfortunately, I was left watching a green screen Gulag wall, waiting for a punchline that would never come.