Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Muppets Most Wanted

Likable Kermie lacks punch in the sequel.

(Source: Collider)

Directed by: James Bobin
Genre: Comedy/Family
Running Time: 112 minutes
Stubs Rating: 3/5

As The Muppets Most Wanted begin, we see the lovable Muppets gang excited over the sequel and started singing the opening number “We’re Doing a Sequel”. As the song went through, Kermit the Frog sang that they are doing a sequel as that’s what Hollywood does and everybody knows that the sequel is never quite as good.

I hate to admit that, but I wholeheartedly agree with Kermit than the sequel is just not as good as the first film. Somehow, The Muppets Most Wanted is not as energetic, fun and gleefully entertaining as its predecessor. Nonetheless, the sequel is still everything you will get from a usual Mupppets movie. Breaking the fourth wall, outrageous humour, cameo appearances and more Muppets having fun.

"We're definitely doing a sequel" (Source: Collider)

In the sequel, the Muppets gang took off right after the end credits of the first film and they are planning on a global tour much to the suggestion from Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais). But little do the Muppets gang know that Badguy is an associate of the World’s Number One Criminal, Constantine, a Kermit lookalike. A switch happened and Constantine now became the decoy Kermit and Kermit somehow got thrown in a Russian prison guarded by Nadya (Tina Fey). Plus, Constantine and Badguy were using the Muppets tour as a cover to perform an international crime heist to steal the Imperial State Crown.

This time around, both Jason Segel and Amy Adams were replaced by both Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey. Gervais’ Badguy (pronounced Badgee) is entertaining to watch as he comes across as funny, cynical and sarcastic much like Gervais himself. On the other hand, Tina Fey’s presence in the sequel is not as bubbly and magnetic as Amy Adams in the first film. As for Ty Burrell’s Inspector Jean Pierre Napoleon, he is just your average clumsy and witty French inspector and Burrell’s Napoleon is just like a better version of Inspector Jacques Clouseau than Steve Martin.

"Meet Inspector Clouseau, bird" (Source: Collider)

As for the songs featured in the sequel, they are as funny and fun to listen such as “Stick With Me” or “Interrogation Song”. But do look out for a wonderful cameo appearance by Celine Dion herself in a duet with Miss Piggy. However, I do still think that “Man or Muppet” from the first film is (arguably) still the best song of the Muppets series so far.

Despite Kermit being the main character in the Muppets series, this time around he is pushed to a side character and overlooked by Gervais’ Badguy and Constantine. Plus, only a handful of Muppets are given much attention throughout the film, particularly crowd-favourite Miss Piggy, Walter and Animal. Let’s just hope that the third film will focus on other side characters of the Muppets gang.

The Muppets gang is back with a bang. (Source: Collider)

Like previous Muppets film, the best part of watching their films are spotting the cameo appearances of famous singers and actors. The sequel did not disappoint in this department with appearances from Lady Gaga, Tom Hiddleston, wrestler Hornswoggle (real name Dylan Postl), Salma Hayek, Christoph Waltz, Usher, Ray Liotta and more. But the best cameo in the sequel is undoubtedly Danny Trejo as a Gulag prisoner good in singing and dancing. Try picturing this Danny Trejo in the Machete films, you’ll get a chuckle or two.

Well, some might argue that the sequel is much better than the first one, but for me, the sequel is not as gripping and entertaining than it’s predecessor, nonetheless it is a good film for the family and to lose yourself. Now all I am hoping in the third film is Kermit singing “we’re doing a trilogy and it’s never as good as the previous two”, then my life is complete.