Wow! Such a good movie.

Such a frustrating disappointment

Captivating movie !

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's very difficult to find a sequel that's as good as the original. There aren't a lot out there that are great sequels, but when they do come along, they are remembered forever. And maybe what worked so well for the first Muppet film that starred Jason Segel and Amy Adams is that it had a human element to it, and didn't just follow the Muppets around. That's not to say that this sequel 'Muppets: Most Wanted' isn't a lot of fun and very entertaining. It is, but it doesn't have that magic that the last one had.Instead, we get a true to Muppet form movie as our favorite creatures set out on a multi continent tour full of shows, burglaries, and jewel heists. A theme that has been done before with the Muppets. But at least the Muppets are self aware that sequels are never quite as good as the original as they sing in their opening song called 'We're Doing A Sequel'. But this sequel is not all fun and games at all, as we start out exactly where we left off on the first film right outside the theater in Los Angeles, where the Muppets have dinner with a high-powered manager named Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais), who encourages them to go on a world tour with their show.Little do the Muppets know that Dominic is an actual bad guy who is planning on robbing priceless works of art and jewels from each place the Muppets play at in hopes of taking over the world as the planet's number one criminal. But he can't do it alone. He needs the help of Constantine, the world's most dangerous frog, who is a Russian ninja complete with an accent and mole and looks exactly like Kermit. It's funny, because in light of recent events in the actual news, this Russian bad frog is quite a coincidence. Once Constantine breaks out of a Siberian prison run by Nadya (Tina Fey), he switches places with Kermit, as Kermit is transferred back to the Siberian prison full of bad guys.While Constantine and Badguy are robbing art galleries and banks, Kermit is trying to survive prison life, but luckily for him, Nadya loves musical theatre and wants to put on a great performance for the annual prison talent show. And Kermit is just the frog to make it happen. Meanwhile, it seems nobody realizes that Constantine is actually Constantine, but rather Kermit with a col, due to his thick Russian accent. He even woos Miss Piggy into marriage within 48 hours which is to take place in London, the same place he plans to rob a precious piece of history and blow everyone up after the job is done. Even new guy Walter doesn't see through Constantine at first.Instead Animal is the only one who knows the real Kermit. Ty Burrell plays a version of Inspector Clouseau, searching for clues to the serial robberies, which gets several laughs. There are several references to other films such as 'The Sound of Music', a full number from the play 'A Chorus Line', and even 'The Seventh Seal'. And the music by 'The Flight of the Conchords' this time around isn't as great as the first one, but it does have some good moments with some catchy tunes. In fact, there is one number that is sure to get big applause from older fans. And returning director James Bobin along with his co-writer Nicholas Stoller must be big fans of Mel Brooks, because there are some silly scenes that play during the film similar to something Mel Brooks would have done including a bunch of rough and tough prison inmates who break out into song and dance Broadway style.The lights are not out on the Muppets by any means. There are plenty of laughs for all ages and some fun over-the-top performances. And the cameos keep coming including Celine Dion, Christoph Waltz, Ray Liotta, Danny Trejo, Frank Langella, Salma Hayak, Tom Hiddleston, Puff Daddy, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Zach Galifianakis to name a few. 'Muppets: Most Wanted' is quite fun, but I don't think it has a replay factor like the last one did.

After being successfully rebooted in 2011 in The Muppets they return in Muppets Most Wanted and end up in London (their spiritual home) as well as other European cities.The famous again Muppets have a new manager Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) and they embark on a world tour but the tour is a front as Badguy and his cohort Constantine (A Kermit lookalike who has replaced Kermit) rob historical venues across Europe. Tina Fey is fun as the prison guard in a Russian gulag where the real Kermit has been sent to.Ty Burrell is Interpol Inspector Napoleon, co investigating with CIA agent Sam the Eagle while at the same time poking fun at French stereotypes.There are many cameos some are blink and you miss them ranging from James McAvoy, Lady Gaga, Christoph Waltz, Frank Langella, Ray Liotta, Danny Trejo, Salma Hayek and Tom Hiddleston.The film is fun enough, a solid and enjoyable film with a good musical number (The Gulag Song) near the end of the film. Its not as good as The Muppets and borrows from earlier films such as The Great Muppet Caper. Then again the film acknowledges that sequels are not as good as the original film in its opening number. Jason Segel's absence is felt in this film and it also does feel a little bit flabby here and there.

The Muppets Most Wanted is the sequel to the 2011 hit film which reintroduced the Muppets to the world and a new generation. This film is more of the same with high entertainment value and is often fun to watch. The songs are great, although they cannot compare to the first film. My favorite song has to be the gulag song sung by Tina Fey. The emotional value isn't as strong in this movie thanks to the disappearances of Jason Segel and Amy Adams. Luckily, this film does possess a handful of awesome cameos.James Bobin's film brings us back the Muppets after they are famous again in their own movie. At the advice of a new manager named Dominic Badguy, they decide to go on a world tour. However, they don't know that this tour is actually a scheme to rob historical venues all across Europe. A Kermit look-alike named Constantine tries to become the world's most masterful thief as he puts this plan into submission, but he must first put Kermit in a Siberian gulag.The three main actors here are Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and Ty Burrell whom are impressive in their own merits. That does not stop me from missing the chemistry of Segel and Adams. Nonetheless, all the above performances are excellent. As for cameos, keep an eye on the ones by Christoph Waltz, Ray Liotta, and Danny Trejo.Overall, the Muppets Most Wanted is a fairly solid sequel and great family fun. The main highlights are the opening and closing musical acts. The first act is funny because it talks about how sequels are never as good as the original, which is often true. The film is mostly funny, although I miss the emotional impact the first film had. On the whole, this is another Muppets success.My Grade: B+

Version I saw: UK cinema release Actors: 6/10 Plot/script: 6/10 Photography/visual style: 6/10 Music/score: 7/10 Overall: 6/10 The record of Muppet movies is a highly variable one. Some of them, such as the Muppet Movie and The Muppet Christmas Carol, are rightly considered classics of family entertainment, while others fall flat.Muppets Most Wanted in particular comes off the back of a very strong competitor, 2011's comeback hit The Muppets. Most of the behind-camera team are the same, including the director, the writer and the Oscar-winning composer of the songs, Bret McKenzie. In fact, there is actually a strong Flight of the Conchords connection running through the film.In front of the camera, the Muppets are of course the same, but the human cast have been completely turned around. Muppet productions have always been big on celebrities in large and small roles. Why do they seem to punch above their weight so consistently? I suppose it's just that stars feel the same affection for these characters as we do. Muppets Most Wanted really takes it to the limit though, with so many recognizable names and faces that some get more time in the end credits than within the film.There are several good songs in there too. Songs haven't always been part of the Muppet formula, but when they have, they usually go down well. I have a lot of time for McKenzie, and it seems he hasn't lost his touch. The comedy is good too: I am always amazed at their ability to deliver a bad joke, tell you it's a bad joke, and make it funnier than a good joke.So why didn't I enjoy it more? The plot is not great, but Muppet plots are generally not up to much, generally existing as little more than a hook to hang those gags and celebrity cameos on, with a bit of lesson-learning and heart-warming reconciliation at the end.I think, when it comes down to it, MMW's failure is that it could not live up to it's predecessor. The Muppets was funnier, had better songs... and above all, had real heart. The relationship between Gary (Jason Segel), Mary (Amy Adams) and Walter (Peter Linz) had real life and affection to it, but without the other two, Walter just isn't that interesting a character.The film is really not bad at all, and way better than its critics would have you believe, but there is really not much I can say about it that can't be followed by "but The Muppets was better". It doesn't just sound like damning with faint praise, it is the very textbook definition of damning with faint praise.For my full review, see my independent film review blog on Blogger, Cinema Inferno: http://cinemainferno-blog.blogspot.co.uk