Out on DVD & Blu-ray this Week: The Muppets (2012)

Released on DVD and Blu-ray this Monday was heartwarming family film The Muppets. After a successful run at the box office, taking over £17 Million in the United Kingdom alone, The Muppets will most likely top DVD charts as well by the end of the week. The family film is centered around Walter (A very manly muppet) helping The Muppets to save Muppet Studios from being demolished by an oil baron, by hosting one last show.
   This truly is my favourite film of 2012 so far. From start to finish, The Muppets had me smiling, laughing and tapping my foot to the catchy tunes. It really is great. The film stars Jason Segel, as Walter's older brother Gary, who is probably most recognisable as Marshall from American sitcom How I Met Your Mother. I fail to find a film or TV program where Segel doesn't come across as a nice guy, he is instantly likeable. In my opinion, he is one of the main factors to the films success, from his upbeat performance in the first song 'Life's a Happy Song' through to the dramatic, man/muppet realisation halfway through, where Gary and Walter are debating their role in life (note- it really isn't as deep as I've made it sound, it's a family film after all).
   Although I feel Segel stole the show as far as acting was concerned, it would be rude to not give any credit to the rest of the cast. Amy Adams, like Segel, has a seemingly bubbly personality and this is evident thoughout  the film. Adams' character Mary equally shares the limelight with Walter and Gary, and has her own song in which she is displaying her independence after being ignored whilst Gary and Walter help Kermit and the gang repair the studio.
   Another actor to metion would be Chris Cooper as well, his portrayal of oil baron Tex Richman was that of a classic pantomime villain, and the character's hilarious hip-hop style rap makes him a sort-of likeable at least.

© Walt Disney Studios

   Another key point to mention is the soundtrack, Bret McKenzie (of Flight of The Conchords) has writing credits on five of the songs - arguably most of the best ones. From the opener 'Life's a Happy Song' to the embarrassingly catchy 'Me Party' the soundtrack is fantastic and is sure to bring a smile to even the moodiest of faces.
The storyline itself is predictable, but enjoyable. The characters even make fun of it's predictability throughout the film, with several references to obvious plot twists becoming apparent.
   Finally, something I personally feel added to the film was its extensive amount of cameo appearances. The film boasts several Hollywood stars who make an appearance at one point or another. Jack Black is featured throughout, which could make him considered as a main cast member, however I would consider it a glorified cameo at best. If I'm completely honest, I really dislike Jack Black as an actor (and musician) but I found him tolerable in The Muppets, I probably even found some of his parts funny, really. His inclusion in the film didn't make me enjoy it any less, put it that way. Some of the more notable cameos in the film were that of Jim Parsons; Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, who features as the human version of Walter, and Zach Galifianakis as Hobo King, 'Hobo Joe'.
   All in all, I really did enjoy the film, it was fantastic. No matter what age you are, I seriously doubt you will dislike this film. 8/10