The Muppets

In the hands of writer and star Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and director James Bobin (Flight of the Conchords), this latest revitalization of the Muppet machine pleasantly exceeds expectations, faithfully coloring within the lines of Jim Henson’s world while bringing it into the 21st century. The two men are very obviously fans, which automatically puts it ahead of most tin-eared Hollywood efforts to reboot franchises. Here Gary (Segel) and his brother Walter set off to Hollywood to pay tribute to the Muppets at the shrine of their theater. Walter is kind of a fan of the crew, you see, which makes sense, considering that he’s a Muppet himself. Of course, when they get to their destination they find that Kermit and friends have been displaced by time and a villainous 1-percenter (Chris Cooper) who has been setting about tapping an oil deposit beneath the shuttered theater. After a cameo by Mickey “Let’s put on a show, Judy!” Rooney, the boys set off to get the band back together in a mission to save their theater and introduce the loveable characters to a whole new generation.. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 14. Rated PG