From the viewpoint of somebody who, as a rule, abhors musicals in practice, watching The Muppets was initially a bit uncomfortable.

Let’s face facts; in real life, music doesn’t pop out of loudspeakers overhead as an entire crowd of random people who happen to be in the area suddenly perform set choreography and sing to a song they’ve never heard before. However, I still left singing “Menomena” and smiling. 

Why?

In general, the problem with films that intend to carry on in the tradition of the original is usually lack of research. The Muppets does not have this problem, showing a brief clip of the original show and having Kermit and Miss Piggy sing the Muppet classic, “Rainbow Connection.”

Part of the story’s charm is the youthful innocence. In a nutshell, a new Muppet named Walter searches for his place in the world. He happens to not fit into the regular human world due to the fact that he’s a Muppet.

Walter’s obsession with The Muppet Show lasts throughout his life, and when he gets a chance to visit the original set, he is thrilled … until he finds it dilapidated from non-use. After overhearing a plot to destroy the Muppet Theatre, he decides to gather the original Muppets to save it.

While Amy Adams’ part is relatively flat, Jason Segel’s brotherly love (to his Muppet brother) is convincing. Older characters are relatively close to what fans will remember in the Muppet films, except for Piggy, who is even more obnoxious than usual. The dialogue feels natural and the gags are both fresh and familiar, along with great fourth-wall humor.

Be on the lookout for cameo performances from Dave Grohl, Sarah Silverman, Niel Patrick Harris and several other easter eggs scattered throughout the film.

Overall, the Muppet’s is good for a laugh and worth at least one watch … or maybe two.