"Film Review: The Muppets BRINK had the opportunity to check out an advance screening of Disney's The Muppets and it did not disappoint. First, let's backtrack a bit and revisit Muppetmania in the last quarter century. Back in the late 70's/early 80's, the Muppet gang was churning out TV shows, specials and movies that had children and adults alike shouting with excitement and joy at watching Kermit and his pals ""movin' right along"" on their latest adventure or sing-a-long journey. From the first airing of The Muppet Show in 1976 to the fun loving films like 1979s The Muppet Movie and 1984s Muppets Take Manhattan, it seemed the Muppets were a consistent American fixture. That was until the 90s when Muppetmania seemed to take a slight downturn. The last Muppet theatrical release was 1999s Muppets from Space which failed to bring in the big audiences of the past. The 2000s had the Muppet gang on the small screen in It's a Very Muppet Merry Christmas Movie and The Muppets Wizard of Oz. It wasn't until a few years ago that buzz started to really pick up thanks to Jason Segal and his idea to bring the Muppets back to the big screen. The script was written, the movie got the green light and then - It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets - bringing us to present day. The Muppets is an absolute delight to say the least. The movie kicks off with the backstory of Gary (Jason Segal) and his brother Walter (Walter) and their life growing up. When Walter is first introduced to the Muppets on TV, he becomes completely captivated by the crew and not soon after he and his brother Gary are on a journey to check out Muppet Studios in Los Angeles. Along for the ride is Gary's girlfriend of ten years, Mary (Amy Adams), who is hoping that Gary will pop the question to marry him. The hi-jinx, laughter and the warm spirit of The Muppets takes off as the gang tries to reunite after being separated for many years as they begin their quest to save Muppet Theatre from tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper). The music of The Muppets is some of the best out of the entire franchise and if ""Life's a Happy Song"" is not nominated for a ""Best Song from a Movie"" Oscar then there is a serious problem with the Academy.    The cameos we've all come to know and love in Muppet movies are intact with many familiar faces and some new ones. Ranging from fresh faced stars of today to beloved comedians that we've all grown with through the years, the cameos are delight to the audience (who cheered out loud). The humor is fun for kids and great for the grown folks that have been with the gang for the past 30 years. The greatest quality of the entire movie had to be its heart. There was no malicious intent, no laughing at someone else's expense, no tearing anyone down or singling someone out – this is a kind hearted film that makes you smile from start to finish. Side note: Something else I noticed in the movie was the ""realness"" of the characters. I actually noticed that Amy Adams, Jason Segal and all the extras looked like ""real people"" with of a real size and real weight. They looked healthy unlike some of the starts we see today. Bravo. I encourage everyone to check out The Muppets in theaters next Wednesday, 11/23, you will not be disappointed. - Kyle M Menard"
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