My husband and I have different ideas of what defines a great movie. He just enjoys a different genre than I do. When "The Muppets" came to theaters I felt thrilled to see it and waited for the release with anticipation like I was eight years old again. My husband is a long-time Muppets fan like I am and I was excited to see a movie we were both sure to enjoy! Well, it turns out this movie fell into the category of ones we couldn’t agree on.
 
When I got the chance to review this film, I jumped at the chance –I wanted to see it again and thought a he said/she said review would be fun. I also wanted to give the movie a second chance since I wasn’t a huge fan when I first saw it.

HE SAID
As a kid I watched the "Muppet Show" every week with my family. I couldn’t wait to laugh at the supreme, sweet silliness that was the Muppets. When the Muppet Videos started popping up on YouTube (Bohemian Rhapsody, the Swedish Chef…) I loved sharing that silliness with my own kids. We’ve watched the movies ("The Muppets Take Manhattan", "The Muppet Movie") and episodes of the Muppet Show on DVD. When "The Muppets" came out in theaters last fall, I was so excited to take my kids to see a brand new Muppet adventure I could hardly stand it.

I loved every second of it.

The movie follows Walter, a Muppet child growing up in a non-Muppet world, on his quest to find out where he belongs with the help of Amy Adams and Jason Segel, his wide-eyed human counterparts. From the outset I knew I could relate to Walter – he loves all things Muppets and longs to live in a world where humor is kinder and people best express their emotions through a musical number.

Of course he meets Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Animal, and the rest of the Muppet crew all but forgotten now and wondering if they’re still relevant in a world where the most popular show is a game show called “Punch Teacher”.

The movie is filled with great songs, fun cameos, one of the most hysterical renditions of a Nirvana song ever, and my favorite: dancing chickens.
While it isn’t as wacky as some of the other Muppet movies and could have used a few more cameos, there are plenty of sight gags, one liners (“The most important gift you can give…”), and some beautiful references to the other movies for those who know them well. In the end we’re all encouraged to claim our inner Muppet and take the time to remember that our entertainment can still be sweet, funny, and silly.

This movie left me looking forward to seeing more Muppets in the future and proved that yes, as a matter of fact, the Muppets are still relevant and maybe we need them more than ever.

The three Disc Wocka-Wocka Edition is a must-have for those of you who (like me) want more Muppets! The movie itself is a beautiful Blu-Ray transfer with crystal clear picture and sound. Never before has pausing a movie been so much fun. You and the kids will love watching and listening to the antics of the Muppets as you wait for someone to return to the room!

The extras on the disc provide you with a great array of bloopers, movie trailers, a hysterical “first read through”, and a plethora of cameos in the deleted scenes. In addition, you get a digital copy and a copy of the soundtrack! This will definitely tide you over until the next installment of the Muppets.

SHE SAID
Maybe the timing wasn’t great for me thanks to stress from the holidays, or I was simply tired, but I didn’t really like "The Muppets" the first time I saw it. I didn’t think there were enough cameo appearances, Animal didn’t play the drums enough (hardly at all!), and the plot didn’t grab me at the beginning. Miss Piggy didn’t karate chop enough, and the overall wackiness I loved from the show and Muppet characters didn’t appear until about half-way through the movie.
 
Being a huge Kermit fan from way back, I could tell Jim Henson wasn’t playing Kermit. The differences were subtle, and I was surprised it bothered me. The voice was great, but the way Kermit angled his head and scrunched up his face seemed – how can I describe it? – off. Similar to when an actor plays someone we know so well – we can tell it’s an actor and not the real person.
 
Seeing The Muppets a second time in the Wocka Wocka Pack gave me a chance to see if I could love this movie – and I desperately wanted to! Some of my favorite memories of my childhood involved "The Muppets".
 
I must have been stressed out and grumpy when I first saw it, because I liked "The Muppets" so much more when I saw it in my own home. (Hooray! My husband and I agree!) This time I loved the songs and the references to the show I watched every Sunday when I was growing up. The characters in the movie wonder if they still matter to anyone or belong after all these years – don’t we all wonder that from time to time? What a wonderful message.
 
Maybe it’s the Bonus Features that made it so much fun to watch – the blooper reel – officially titled “The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History – We think)” is hysterical and I loved seeing the deleted scenes. You can pause the movie and a special “Intermission” appears – you’ll have to try it yourself to see what happens! The many special features plus the Soundtrack Digital Download Card make this Wocka-Wocka Value Pack a new family favorite.
 
This movie may not be such a hit with younger viewers (it is rated PG) – the plot is pretty sophisticated without much to keep little ones interested at times, but the older kids will love it, just like I did.
 
WE SAID
Coming soon to the Calandro Casa: “Muppet Movie Marathon”!!
 
You can win one of two Wocka-Wocka Blu-Ray Prize Packs by entering to win on the Mom Central Facebook page. Both US and Canadian residents are eligible to win.

Congratulations to our winners, Adrianne M. and Stephanie T., and a big thanks to all who entered!

*Please note, comments left on this post will not be considered giveaway entries.

Disclosure: Eileen Calandro was given a 3-Disc Wocka-Wocka Value Pack to facilitate this review.

When Eileen and her husband John aren’t busy channeling their inner Muppet, Eileen is the Chief Mom Connector of Mom Central. You can read about other Calandro adventures on her personal blog at calandroclan.com and connect with her on Twitter at @MomCentralChat and @calandro5.

Mom Central