“We had a good run.”
A Muppet comeback was wishful thinking in 2011 and plays like a fantasy sequence now. Many of the central jokes are corny, but the script by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller is largely successful because they expertly deal with the Muppets as a group whose time has passed, and create a respectful contrast between the Muppets and what’s considered hip and modern, producing a lot of left-field zingers. They also confront the complicated, ambiguous history of Kermit and Piggy.
The songs by Bret McKenzie set the tone for the film’s mix of old school Muppet nostalgia and modern hipsterism. Besides the Oscar winning “Man or Muppet” and the great opener “Life’s a Happy Song”, his tone can best be heard on a knock off version of “Rainbow Connection” by The Moopets that’s actually an ad for a Casino, and “Let’s Talk About Me” which is a villain song performed in rap by Chris Cooper.
The song that brings it all home though is a new performance of “Rainbow Connection”. Originally Kermit’s solo that kicks off The Muppet Movie, here it’s performed by the entire Muppet ensemble, creating a perfect bookend moment. When the group decides to join in, they hold hands before walking on stage together and it reminds me of a similar hand holding in Toy Story 3. If this was to be the end then let these characters face it together.
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