Man or Muppet? It does not matter! In the new movie fun “Muppets Most Wanted” guest stars like Tina Fey and Lady Gaga have great performances – but also the felt dolls: Kermit gets it with a criminal double do.

In a small, casual scene of the original “Muppet Show” from the seventies who always stressed Kermit once sought in vain the lost of a plain sheet Checkout salaries of its employees. On the question of his hyperactive Wizard Scooter, how much money it would because actually, Kermit called a crooked absurd amount to twenty dollars. The poor joke revealed nigh touching the self-understanding of the puppet ensembles as well as the secret of their enduring popularity: Nobody does this job for the money. But out of love.

The same also applies for “Muppets Most Wanted”, aims to replicate the success of the movie comeback of fluffy show group from the year 2011. In addition to director James Bobin, of this time together with Nicholas Stoller wrote the screenplay, and the Oscar-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie has returned for the sequel.

Alone, Jason Segel, human protagonist and co-author of “The Muppets”, renounced a reprise. And if the sequel is something missing, then maybe actually sail uninhibited enthusiasm that helped across the precursor of some narrative losing streaks. The there is also here, as basically all suffered cinema trips the Muppets under the pressure of having to teach a full-length plot. Because is the natural format of the dolls and remains a half-hour revue.

“The Muppets Most Wanted”: From Lady Gaga to Christoph Waltz

But since it happens to need a history, Bobin and Stoller make do with the conventions of the detective comedy: After the last reunion and celebrated rescue of her vaudeville company can Kermit and his colleagues with the windy Manager Dominic Badguy ( Ricky Gervais ) , a . The persuades the unsuspecting Muppets to a tour of major European cities , the Badguy and his Boss Constantine but is merely intended to serve as a cover for daring museum raids .

Because of all things, who just escaped from a Russian gulag Constantine is – apart from a prominent birthmark – Kermit’s hair precisely alike . Unbeknownst to Miss Piggy , Fozzie , Gonzo and Co. Constantine takes over the role of chief frog , while Kermit is imprisoned in his stead , and therefore in the questionable care as rigorous as the theater enthusiastic prison guard Nadya (Tina Fey ) lands .

The turbulent round trip including mildly amusing burglar farce and musical numbers of course offers plenty of opportunity for celebrity guest appearances . From Lady Gaga about ” Sean Diddy ” Combs to Christoph Waltz hold several stars her face in the camera , but they are so fast surfaced in the image and disappeared as did the infamous boomerang fish of Muppet circus performer Lew Zealand . This is unfortunate , because the unique combination of human and textile show sizes was finally the charming core business of the ” Muppet Show” . Who could forget about the drum duel between Harry Belafonte and the unleashed Animal ? Or the episode when Kermit along with a delightfully haphazard Debbie Harry ” The Rainbow Connection” sung ?

This particular chemical is found , thank God, apart from the somewhat tried Rififi popular fiction in the scenes between Kermit and his manic watcher / admirer Nadya again . This seems only logical , after all Tina Fey in her hit series ” 30 Rock” – in which they had to subdue as head writer Liz Lemon , the wild bird egos a television production – continued mediensatirische meta- puppetry Jim Henson in principle. Thus, the figures Liz Lemon and Kermit also striking a lot in common : They both live for the show, find a satisfactory balance between work and private life , are frustrated romantic and get far too little credit for their self-sacrificing commitment.

“The Muppets Most Wanted”:Give the frog a chance!

Also not by chance came in the seventies the “Muppet Show” and the style-comedy program “Saturday Night Live” in close succession to the screens. Both formats were able to show business at the same time celebrate and parody and modernized the way the vaudeville tradition for the television audience.

Man or Muppet, this question loses in the entertainment industry already more than anywhere else on selectivity. That is also why real stars recognize perhaps so much in the anarchic, good-hearted dolls and cherish their company. Hold it upright but the comforting idea that there really was such a thing as a showbiz family that is held together by more than only commercial interest.

As more young entertainer of the old school who go long distances for a laugh, keep the Muppets as a naive, however irresistible entertainment Ideal upright. Therefore they could ascend to global brand without this circumstance would made ​​them a reproach.

The Muppets are the rare success story without envy. And as long as we accept without objection that a Filzfrosch and Francophile pork the largest – while still waiting for fulfillment – are lovers, they will continue. The new film can be seen therefore best described as something long geratenes application video. Because what the Muppets really need is not the big screen, but the small television stage.

So give the frog a chance. And a new show.