Fonzie Bear, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog in "The Muppets"; photo courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

“The Muppets” (Buena Vista Pictures) 

In their heyday the Muppets were everywhere, but for the last few years they have been basically out of sight. Now they have returned in “The Muppets,” a movie full of nostalgia for those who grew up with them. It also serves as an introduction for the generation that doesn’t know who they are. Thus it is a two level movie and it succeeds on both.

The movie tells the story of two brothers named Gary (Jason Segel) and Walter (Walter). They live in Smallville and are super close. When Gary announces he is taking his longtime girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) to LA Walter thinks he is being left behind. He is wrong. Gary insists that he come along, much to Mary’s chagrin. She likes Walter but she wants some alone time with Gary.

In LA they visit the old Muppets Theater. It is in a bad state of disrepair. While there they also learn that a rich oil baron named Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) has bought the theater and plans to tear it down. Thanks to a clause in the contract the Puppets can buy back the property for ten million dollars but they only have a limited time to do it.

Gary, Mary and Walter begin looking for the Muppet team. They find Fonzie and then move on to Kermit. Kermit is the key to getting the group back together. He agrees to help track down the others and then work to stage a show that will raise the ten million. Things get even brighter when Miss Piggy agrees to join in the effort.

The movie is full of Muppet fun and Muppet songs. It is especially great to hear the group singing “The Rainbow Connection” one more time. The other big numbers include “Life’s A Happy Song.” And “We Built This City.”

There are numerous cameos in the movie by such stars as Rashida Jones, Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Selena Gomez, Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris. They are all okay but don’t really add that much to the film. In fact none of the human actors are indispensible. The movie is at its best when it is just focused on the Muppets.

The film is rated PG for some rude humor.

It is wonderful to welcome the Muppets back to the big screen. It had been much too long since their last appearance. They still have the ability to charm, amuse and entertain. All of the Muppet characters are lovable but it is still Miss Piggy and Kermit who are the stars of the show.

Gather up the kids and go see this fun loving film that brings back the characters we have always loved. Hopefully they are back to stay and more movies will follow.

I scored “The Muppets” a Pigg-ied 7 out of 10.