"THE MUPPETS" - FILM REVIEW

Still from The Muppets

The long-awaited return to the Big Screen for The Muppets is finally before us. This latest Revival from Flight of the Conchords Director James Bobin, centers around three Muppets Fans who visit Hollywood in search of their Idols only to learn of wealthy Tycoon Tex's (Chris Cooper) plans to destroy the historic Muppets Theater in order to access an Oil Reserve beneath it. Gary (Segel), Mary (Amy Adams) and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) convince Kermit to gather The Muppets once again after many years apart, for a Reunion to raise $10 million in an effort to save the Theater from its demise.

Like many other Children, I grew-up with work of Jim Henson, hence particularly I have been excited about this Film, but does it deliver?  By all means.  Bobin crafts a movie-going experience which at once is highly fun and also heartfelt.  Kermit the Frog voiced by Puppeteer Steve Whitmire, is the perfect Underdog Hero, lovable in his Self-Doubt as he gathers the troops one more time for a Reunion and ultimately he hopes to win-back Miss Piggy's (voiced by Eric Jacobson) over-dramatic heart.

Segel who serves triple-duty as Executive Producer/Writer and Actor truly is a Talent, singing and dancing his way to our affections as the Boyfriend of Mary and also Big Brother of adorable Muppets Fan Extraordinaire Walter (voiced by Peter Linz). We feel Gary's genuine struggle to decide whether he is a Muppet or the Man who Mary wants him to be, as he gets pulled in different directions.  Adams in her incessant pleas for a bit of undivided attention from her Gary is endearing, proving again with her performance why she is at the top of Actresses in her Generation.  Not many Actresses can get away with pulling-off Mary so ably.

The Muppets truly is something for everyone, entertaining Kids with its infectious Melodies and also as a colourful Spectacle.   At once, Adults equally find amusement in its awareness of its own over-the-top tendencies.  And if the abundance of familiar-faced Cameos from the likes of Feist, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, Jim Parsons, Emily Blunt, Ken Jeong, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis and Jack Black aren't enough to make you smile, wait til you see a maniacal Cooper wow you with his Rapping and Singing abilities.

INTERVIEW: KERMIT THE FROG ON "THE MUPPETS"

Kermit the Frog in Toronto - October 2011

"It's tough to work with someone you're close with and turning-on that magic on-screen." - Kermit the Frog, on maintaining a Romance on-and-off screen with Miss Piggy (October 2011)

Toronto gave a Hero's welcome to its favourite acting and singing Amphibian who returned to the same City where he filmed various Specials and The Jim Henson Hour throughout the '70s and '80s. Kermit the Frog flew in from Los Angeles, holding a Press Conference at his Yorkville Hotel in support of Disney's eagerly-awaited The Muppets. Also participating on the Press Tour is Actor/Executive Producer/Co-Writer Jason Segel, who many of us know as the Star of How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  With fond memories of the City, Kermit (who hasn't aged a day), tells a select group of Journalists moderated by Film Critic Richard Crouse, "It's great to be back".

Richard Crouse & Kermit the Frog

Since being introduced to the World by Jim Henson in 1955, Kermit has captivated the hearts of Children and Adults around the World. In addition to being an internationally-recognized TV and Movie Star, he also is a noted Author who happens to have earned a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 hit with 1979's Rainbow Connection.

The upcoming Musical-Comedy from Flight of the Conchords Director James Bobin, centers around three Muppets Fans who visit Hollywood in search of their Idols only to learn of wealthy Tycoon Tex's (Chris Cooper) plans to destroy the historic Muppets Theater in order to access an Oil Reserve beneath it. Gary (Segel), Mary (Amy Adams) and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) convince Kermit to gather The Muppets once again after many years apart, for a Reunion to raise money in an effort to save the Theater from its demise.

JASON SEGEL IN TORONTO FOR "THE MUPPETS" | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Jason Segel & Mr. Will-W.

The brilliant and charming Jason Segel is gearing-up for a Promotional Tour in support of Walt Disney Motion Pictures' The Muppets and Toronto is one of his first stop-offs.  Not only does he sing, dance and act in the Film, but he Co-wrote its Screenplay and also serves as one of its Executive Producers too.

I was fortunate enough to screen a Cut of The Muppets, directed by James Bobin last week, and although a proper Review is forthcoming when I see its Final Cut later in November, I can say with confidence that I loved what I saw. I laughed, I cried and I adored the Music.  Segel was thrilled to hear my response in surely what will be a chain of praise to come.

This Film centers around three Muppets Fans - Gary (Segel), Mary (Amy Adams) and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz) who visit Hollywood, only to learn that a rich Oil Tycoon named Tex (Chris Cooper) wants to drill under the storied Muppets Theatre.  Together, they try to persuade the original Muppets - led by Kermit the Frog - to reunite one more time and put on a Show to raise money to save the historic Theatre from destruction.  The Muppets hits theatres nationwide Friday, November 23, 2011.

MISS PIGGY IN NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE OF "INSTYLE"

Miss Piggy in November 2011 Issue of InStyle

Two reasons to pick-up InStyle Magazine's November issue are that one - Gwen Stefani is on the Cover, and two - there is a full spread featuring Miss Piggy! Timed right around the release of The Muppets, in theatres November 23, 2011, Miss Piggy talks to InStyle about her favourite Fashion Designers, Men (she is a Fan of Robert Pattinson, George Clooney and Brad Pitt) and Lady Gaga - only Miss Piggy can have the real Kermit the Frog draped around her neck! LOL

Designers like Prabal Gurung (seen above), Jason Wu, Opening Ceremony, Brian Atwood, Suno and Giles & Brother custom-created outfits for the Pop Culture Icon.  My favourite definitely is the latter's glamorous creation where she is channeling some serious Mariah Carey.  Or should I say it's the other way around?

Designers Christian Louboutin and Zac Posen designed additional outfits for the actual Movie which I was lucky enough to have screened last week! 

Miss Piggy also will be the new face of MAC Cosmetics for an exclusive line to be released in November.

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