#10: The Muppets

Philosophers, theologists and scientists have tried for centuries to define the concept of “the soul”. That intangible object which separates humans from mere animals. It’s my humble opinion that the answer lies in our unique ability to appreciate, and love, The Muppets.

So it’s 2010 and Jason Segel, everyone’s second-favourite “How I Met Your Mother” is on the David Letterman show – with not much to say for himself. He’s fidgeting and starting to sweat. The audience is getting restless. Letterman asks him “Well, do you have any new projects coming up?” Segel thinks for a moment, but comes up empty. Then he remembers the script he co-wrote and sent to Disney. The suits didn’t exactly jump on it – but they didn’t exactly turn it down either. “There is one thing,” Segel begins, “It’s called ‘The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made’…”

And it’s a damn good movie. Wickedly self-referential, it’s a Muppet movie custom-built to bring a smile to the faces of a jaded, Twitter-era audience. It’s a love letter to the Muppets from the generation which grew up with them. Segel is lovably awkward as the (non-Muppet) man-child lead. Amy Adams channels her “Enchanted” deadpan humour as his long-suffering girlfriend. There are countless celebrity cameos but these rarely distract from the Muppets’ own charming performances. Kermit, Miss Puzzy, Gonz the Great (the only Muppet to have a subgenre of fiction/journalism named after him), Fozzy Bear, they’re all here! Though their original creators are dead and gone, their upbeat, happy-clappy spirit lives on.

And don’t get me started on the songs! Kermit crooning “Pictures in My Head” and “Rainbow Connection” will leave you in a limbo between laughter and tears. “Man or Muppet” is a hilarious, Oscar-winning Flight-of-the-Conchords-esque tune. And “Life’s A happy Song” is sure to put a spring in your step.

“The Muppets” is a fun, joyful film that will thrill children and adults alike. Don’t miss it!

Come back tomorrow, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel for… no, not The Dark Knight Rises – that would be too obvious. It’s the first ever SPECIAL AWARD of the Corzies: The ‘Hey, That’s Not A Movie! Isn’t it a TV Show or Something’ Prize!