Writer: Syahida Kamarudin

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Watch this if you liked: “The Muppets Treasure Island”, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “The Muppet Show”

This is how you make a muppet movie. If there are two right men for the job, it would be "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" screenwriter Nicholas Stoller and the lovable Jason Segel of "How I Met Your Mother" fame.

What differentiate this movie from previous muppet movies is that Segel and Stoller wrote the movie in such a way that it appeals to both young and old. It has enough sarcasm for the neo-modernists audience, enough nostalgia for the old fans yet enough spunk for the new ones to enjoy. Needless to say, even if it's not that perfect, it caters to everyone in great harmony. A great change in this new era where everything is cynical, dark and filled with 3D.

"The Muppets" is a musical that does not dumb down audience with cheap tricks where the characters make a cover version of popular songs (*cough*"The Chipmunks*cough*). With the exception of a few (like the very funny barbershop version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"), most of the songs are old school fun, reminiscing the Jim Henson's days of "The Muppet Show" in the 70s. But the best of all would be Jason Segel and Peter Lintz (as the muppet Walter) performance, "Man or Muppet".

The movie also boasts of special appearances. From Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez, Rashida Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, to the most unexpected appearance of one lovable geek of "The Big Bang Theory" one recognise as Dr. Sheldon Cooper - it's enjoyable from start to finish.

In short, "The Muppets" is not your usual kiddy movie. One can enjoy watching it as long as one knows at least a bit about Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the lots. Or if that fails, Jason Segel and Amy Adams will entertain you. If that fails too, the songs will make you sway your head from left to right like you're living the Julie Andrews - Gene Kelly era. If even that fails, there are always the many big stars for you to scan. But if that still does not satisfy you, maybe you're just "a muppet of a man".

Oh, and there is also a bonus "Toy Story" filler before the movie starts, if you must know.

Cinema Online, 30 November 2011