The debut of Muppets Most Wanted landed on the last day of the school week, Friday. So……. I did what any responsible parent would do; I signed Rebekah out of school for a half day! What a perfect opportunity to have lunch with my best girl and share a movie starring characters that have crossed generational gaps.
Watching the Muppet show was a weekly treat for me As their opening sequence began with Kermit’s introductions, in his usual upbeat approach – I was settled in for a half hour of pure laughter and fun. This was an adolescent’s variety show that had it all, my favorite being – “PIGS IN SPACE!” When the holidays rolled around, I asked Santa for non-other than the Miss Piggy Puppet which became my prized possession at 8 years old.
When Disney invited the Muppets to join their family in 2004, I was thrilled! Combining two childhood memories – a match made in heaven. Last Christmas I gifted Rebekah The Muppets Christmas Carol. She was instantly smitten with the movie and to this day it has remained one of her favorites, once again creating special memories for not only me but her as well.
Part of the Muppets Most Wanted hype was airing previous Muppet movies. One of Rebekah’s recent favorites has become- Muppet Movie. I can’t even count the amount of times I find it playing on our TV. So when March 21st arrived, of course I only had one thing on my mind, “We’re going to the movies!”
I sent a note earlier in the week to let the teacher know she would be leaving just before lunch that Friday, I am somewhat responsible 😉 The “day” arrived and I set off to gather up my girl. We started our movie premier off with lunch at Johnny Rockets, grilled cheese and burgers topped off with a vanilla milk shake to go- we were off to the movie! Though we were stuffed from lunch we had to get popcorn, it’s a movie goers right of passage to hold that buttery bucket of fluffy corn crunch. We knew the movie was about to start as the lights grew darker, it was time for Rebekah and I to share a moment in time; I knew she was not aware of how special this was for me.
I don’t want to give away too much of the movie since it is newly released in the theater, I will simply present my thoughts.
Something Muppets do very well is present their humor with no age boundaries; Rebekah and I laughed at most of the same scenes but at times for different reasons. For me, this feature was not as upbeat and light hearted as the previous Muppet movies. Rebekah did not stay as connected as she has with the previous films. I am not sure if it was the plot or the particular adult actors- but something was amiss for her. For me it was the plot that didn’t draw me in. Watching Dominic Badguy and Constantine lead the Muppets from one location to the next to seek out and steal the crown jewels of Great Britain, didn’t leave me with that light hearted feeling I usually feel when watching my pals. That aside, there were some great memorable scenes between the Muppets and the guest stars, they worked fluidly side by side. You get to see Miss Piggy in a wedding dress again; you’ll have to watch to find out if she and Kermie finally tie the knot. The finale brought it all together very nicely and was one of my favorite elements in the film. I think the movie will be well received by adults and children alike; this is the Muppets we are talking about- they have found their way into our hearts and I do not foresee it ever changing.
~ Maureen