It had been 11 years since The Muppets had a theatrical film release. In that time, I went from being in elementary school to attending college. For many years, Kermit the Frog was only a vague memory, occasionally brought about by my family’s Muppet Christmas ornaments or a stumble upon one of the old movies. As much as I loved The Muppets, I assumed that as far as their golden age was concerned, my childhood was effectively over.
However, “The Muppets” proved me wrong, showing it is possible to bring back a cherished franchise without ruining the dreams of the fans (George Lucas should take note). The plot nostalgically looks back at “The Muppet Show” and the older Muppet films without being too sentimental. The humor and heart of the series remains intact and the focus is on Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the rest of the original characters. Even though there is plenty for the most dedicated of Muppet fans to enjoy, newcomers (and fans of Jason Segel and Amy Adams) still will find plenty to enjoy.
The best movies are those that in years to come will still be loved because of their fearlessness and characters. As with the original Muppet movie, “The Muppets” is a welcome addition to not only the world created by Jim Henson, but the film landscape at large. Kermit has been loved for over 50 years and will undoubtedly be loved for 50 more by new generations as he and the rest of The Muppets continue giving the world’s third greatest gift — laughter.