dir. Tim Hill
writ. Jerry Juhl, Joseph Mazzarino,& Ken Kaufman
feat. um, The Muppets
So, I'll admit to having read a description of this late entry to the Muppets canon that described the story by noting that Gonzo's breakfast cereal tells him he is an alien, setting him on a quest to learn of his origins. I will also admit that any story initiated by a cereal telling anyone anything will likely pique my interest.
Unfortunately, the scene where Gonzo's alphabet cereal spells out such messages is a bit of a low point in the film, too digital and uninventive. However, other moments and the general enthusiasm of the Muppets keeps some energy alive for the duration of the movie. Perhaps most pleasantly surprising is the frequent patter by Pepe the Prawn, one of the newer additions to the Muppet clan. The Latino shrimp cracks wise throughout the picture, ready with a witty remark nearly every second he's on screen.
While the film lacks the charm and the sense of growing chaos that built up to grand finales in the earlier movies, it manages to keep a brisk pace and pack in a fe good laughs and guest stars. And while it feels more like the unemployed actor's support group than the superstar guest of yesteryear, Ray Liotta manages a surprisingly goofy stint as an armed guard and Kathy Griffin is beautifully sent up as too freakish and overbearing even for Animal's taste in women.
Naturally, we also get a finale that both justifies Gonzo's suspicions and reminds us that Muppet friends are often the best family.
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