The Muppet Movie was a big commercial hit; a likable kids film with a dash of grown-up humour to keep the adults entertained. This sequel sticks to a similar formula and is a perfectly acceptable comic vehicle. You've got the slapstick humour and cuteness/cuddliness of the Muppets to keep the kids happy. Meanwhile the grown-ups can enjoy the subtle asides and the amusing cameo appearances from the likes of Peter Ustinov, John Cleese, Peter Falk and Jack Warden.
A trio of unlikely and inept reporters Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo miss a scandalous jewel heist even though it happens practically right in front of them. Their boss (Jack Warden) threatens to fire them, giving the hapless threesome one last chance . they must go to London and help the victim, rich fashion designer Lady Holliday (Diana Rigg), recover her stolen gems. Matters become complicated when Kermit mistakenly believes a ditsy secretary, Miss Piggy, to be the real Lady Holliday. Meanwhile, Lady Holliday lives in perpetual fear that her newest diamond necklace might be the next target for the cunning thief. Little does she realize the guilty one is, in fact, her own brother Nicky (Charles Grodin). Nicky cleverly frames Miss Piggy for the crimes and, while she is locked away and the police think the danger has past, he plans his final, most audacious heist a priceless gemstone stored in the high security Mallory Gallery ..
The Great Muppet Caper is a convivial, attractive film with much to like. There are continual running jokes about English eccentricity and numerous touches of clever wordplay. The Muppets are amusingly voiced (as always) and most of the live actors seem to be enjoying themselves. Rigg is particularly good as the vulnerable but hard-nosed Lady Holliday. Grodin is the only one who seems a bit out of place, chewing the scenery rather too hammily from beneath excessive make-up. All the guest cameos are played very funnily. The film starts and ends particularly well, with lively set pieces full of good-natured hijinks, songs and manic mayhem. Unfortunately the middle of the film seems rather long-winded, with tedious scenes which don't really move the story forward. It doesn't entirely ruin the film but lowers the overall likability a notch or two.
A trio of unlikely and inept reporters Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo miss a scandalous jewel heist even though it happens practically right in front of them. Their boss (Jack Warden) threatens to fire them, giving the hapless threesome one last chance . they must go to London and help the victim, rich fashion designer Lady Holliday (Diana Rigg), recover her stolen gems. Matters become complicated when Kermit mistakenly believes a ditsy secretary, Miss Piggy, to be the real Lady Holliday. Meanwhile, Lady Holliday lives in perpetual fear that her newest diamond necklace might be the next target for the cunning thief. Little does she realize the guilty one is, in fact, her own brother Nicky (Charles Grodin). Nicky cleverly frames Miss Piggy for the crimes and, while she is locked away and the police think the danger has past, he plans his final, most audacious heist a priceless gemstone stored in the high security Mallory Gallery ..
The Great Muppet Caper is a convivial, attractive film with much to like. There are continual running jokes about English eccentricity and numerous touches of clever wordplay. The Muppets are amusingly voiced (as always) and most of the live actors seem to be enjoying themselves. Rigg is particularly good as the vulnerable but hard-nosed Lady Holliday. Grodin is the only one who seems a bit out of place, chewing the scenery rather too hammily from beneath excessive make-up. All the guest cameos are played very funnily. The film starts and ends particularly well, with lively set pieces full of good-natured hijinks, songs and manic mayhem. Unfortunately the middle of the film seems rather long-winded, with tedious scenes which don't really move the story forward. It doesn't entirely ruin the film but lowers the overall likability a notch or two.