The Muppets made their big come back in 2011 with the reboot imaginatively titled...'The Muppets'. This was the first feature film directed by Hampshire born James Bobin, who cut his teeth on adult TV comedies such as Da Ali G Show, The 11 O'Clock Show and also co-created Flight of the Concords with Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement (the latter also appears in Most Wanted). The Muppets movie hit the UK audience in January 2012 and was warmly received by fans especially since the poor standard of the previous Muppet outing 'Muppets in Space' (1999).

And now they're back again in 2014 with Director Bobin at the helm again. Comedy actor Jason Segel was also asked to return and write the screenplay for Muppets Most Wanted but he declined, saying that he had accomplished his ambition of working with the Muppets.


The new film literally starts where the last one left off and I use the word literally as it was intended. No sooner has the previous film wrapped and was in the can, than Kermit, Fozzie and co. ponder on what to do next as they all burst into a nice parody of a song and dance routine in a number called 'We're doing a Sequel'. This is a clever touch to get in there first and defuse any criticism about making an inferior follow up with lyrics such as “everybody knows the sequel is never quite as good.”

This time the Muppets are talked into going on a global tour by a very shady and mysterious theatre agent called Dominic Badguy (or Ba-guy as he pronounces it) played with great enthusiasm by Ricky Gervais who probably sees this as the pinnacle of his career. Who knows? this could be his Scrooge moment. Dominic wins over the team by ingratiating himself with the Muppets and making all kinds of  promises of centre stage stardom to all of them. Kermit has his nose put out of joint as he is clearly not in charge any more but can see through Mr Badguy. The Most Wanted in the title is an evil Kermit the Frog lookalike called Constantine who prides himself on being 'The World's Number One Criminal'. Constantine's Number Two just happens to be a certain Mr Dominic Badguy and together they get the gang unknowingly involved in a jewel heist across Europe.

Surrey Comet: Muppets Most Wanted: Reviewed

Director Bobbin wanted the film to be a nod to the old 60's crime capers and even incorporates the classic identity mix-up when Kermit is mistaken for the Russian jewel thief and Constantine poses as the loveable song and dance Frog we all love but with a dodgy foreign accent and bad attitude. It's from this point onwards that you need to concentrate on the screen. Not because of the over complicated plot (just kidding) but you don't want to miss the numerous cameo roles that keep popping up. It seems that everybody wants to be in a Muppet movie. Tina Fey has a good turn as Nadya the Russian prison guard and Ty Burrell (TVs Modern Family) would make Peter Sellers proud as French Police Chief Jean Pierre Napoleon to Sam the Eagle's FBI agent.

I have no doubt that this film will do well, although some of the gags fall a bit flat there are also a few laugh out loud moments. And in any case how can you not like the Muppets? My only real criticism is that at 112 minutes the film is probably 22 minutes too long. I image that some of the little ankle biters might start to get a bit fidgety after an hour and a half.

As a kid of the 70's I sort of grew up with The Muppet Show and still have a nostalgic fondness for Kermy, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Animal. So it has to be 4 out of 5 stars from me.

In cinemas from March 28

Certificate U