THE MUPPETS

DIRECTOR: James Bobin

CAST: Jason Segel , Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Jack Black (himself); and Walter, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, the Great Gonzo, Animal, Statler and Waldorf, Swedish Chef, Dr Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, Sam Eagle, Rowlf the Dog, Scooter, and Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band

RUNNING TIME: 98 minutes

CLASSIFICATION: PG

RATING: **

I have to make a confession. I’m reviewing by default. It’s not that I’m not a Muppets fan, I simply don’t know them – and thus, sadly, having watched this film eagerly, don’t get them – at all. My star rating is, in fact, kind.

Not so, if you check the US reviews for this nostalgic movie. Most of them are glowing. Their writers grew up with the muppets and for this one, it’s comfort and nostalgia overload as they intro duce their kids to their childhood sweethearts.

The muppets were too late for my generation and I am much more of a South Park and The Simpsons kind of girl.

This film doesn’t give you any of that. In fact, the reviews refer to the film as “charming, if slight”, the characters as “adorable”, and use phrases such as “affectionate chuckles”. I didn’t get any of that. “Boring and old-world” worked better than “charming”, the characters, as the script, were predictable and if any chuckles, they were in shock rather than wonder.

It’s difficult to imagine anyone who isn’t a huge fan would find anything here amusing. We’ve just become too sophisticated and edgy in our expectations with most of the family cartoons aimed at the imagination of the young while flirting with adult humour to tickle the moms and dads.

But if you are someone who can reel off the names in the cast list without giving it a glance, you might want to check this revival. And that’s exactly what this is. I got that at least.

Brothers of the oddest kind, Walter and Gary, as well as the latter’s girl, pay the most celebrated frog a visit because they have heard the Muppets’ theatre is in danger of being demolished. Their only hope is to stage a Muppet comeback to collect funds and save their theatrical home.

Much of this is told in song and dance, from the twee soft-shuffle street number with Adams and Segel stating their sentimental and ever-so-sweet intentions to a surprise rap rhumba from Chris Cooper which almost turns into fun.

Part of the Muppets magic has always been the celebrity guests and here they include Rashida Jones (daughter of Quincy), Emily Blunt and Zach Galifianakis, also James Carville (would South Africans know him if they’re not into global politics?), Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez and an unwilling Jack Black. It’s fun to spot those you know, but that also becomes bland after a while.

I make apologies to Muppet maniacs because I should have steered clear. If you didn’t get it back then, you’re certainly not going to get it now.

If you liked any of the earlier Muppet movies, or the Smurfs, you might like this one.

To sign up for our Tonight newsletter click here

To vote on our Tonight poll click here