Muppets Most Wanted parents guide

Muppets Most Wanted Parent Guide

Most fans won't be too disappointed, but in the opening musical number of the movie, the Muppets warn us that sequels usually aren't as good as the original. The comment proves to be prophetic.

Overall B+

A case of mistaken identity puts Kermit the Frog (voice of Steve Whitmire) on the "Most Wanted" list, after his dastardly look-a-like pulls a jewel heist. The Muppets are joined by a cast of other famous faces including, Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Ty Burrell.

Release date March 21, 2014

Violence B-
Sexual Content A-
Profanity B+
Substance Use B+

Why is Muppets Most Wanted rated PG? The MPAA rated Muppets Most Wanted PG for some mild action.

Run Time: 108 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

In the opening musical number of the movie, the Muppets warn us that sequels usually aren’t as good as the original. The comment proves to be prophetic. Muppets Most Wanted doesn’t ever feel as fun or lighthearted as The Muppets, the 2011 reboot of the franchise. Maybe it’s because Kermit spends most of his time in a Russian labor camp. Or that Ricky Gervais has to play the straight man to the famous puppets. Either way, this script falls a little short on the charm and silliness we’ve come to expect from these furry characters.

Still most fans won’t be too disappointed with this latest adventure. After a successful reunion in The Muppets, the troupe is deciding what to do next. Kermit (voice of Steve Whitmire) suggests they keep working in their newly renovated theater. But the rest of the cast gets stars in their eyes when they are approached by concert promoter Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais). He wants to take the show on a world tour. Reluctantly Kermit agrees.

The frog’s worries are confirmed when they make their first stop in Berlin. After having a small black mole slapped on his face by assailants, Kermit is instantly mistaken for the world’s most dangerous criminal, Constantine (voice by Matt Vogel) and hauled off to prison in a Hannibal Lector getup. Meanwhile Constantine covers his own mole with a little green paint and pretends to be Kermit.

It’s obvious there is more fluff than brains in the Muppets’ heads when they fail to notice Kermit’s new accent and his unusual willingness to let them do whatever they want with their acts. But Constantine and Dominic aren’t interested in the entertainment enterprise. They are only using the performers as a front so they can pull off criminal heists in the adjacent buildings. Back in the Siberian gulag, Kermit repeatedly tries to explain who he really is. However the prison warden (Tina Fey) refuses to let him go. Instead she coerces him into directing the annual prison talent night.

Saying this Muppet outing doesn’t live up to its potential certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t entertaining. There is still plenty of goofy, slapstick comedy for the kids, and a parade of cameo appearances and adult humor for the grownups. Yet Constantine’s accent makes it hard to catch all of the jokes. And the use of explosions, a Taser and guns ratchet up the content in this crime story from the usual rubber chicken prop brandished by Fozzie Bear (voice of Eric Jacobson).

Like most Muppet adventures, this one comes with some simple, and worthwhile, life lessons. If things look too good to be true, they probably are. Family is important. And sometimes getting what we want doesn’t make us happy after all.

Directed by James Bobin. Starring Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell. Running time: 108 minutes. Theatrical release March 21, 2014. Updated

Muppets Most Wanted
Rating & Content Info

Why is Muppets Most Wanted rated PG? Muppets Most Wanted is rated PG by the MPAA for some mild action.

Violence: Characters blow up buildings and a phone booth. Kermit yells at Miss Piggy. Characters are roughed up and punched. A character is tazered while trying to escape. A criminal places a bomb in a ring. Prison guards carry guns. A criminal threatens another character with a gun. Inmates escape. A character is treated as a dangerous criminal and unjustly sent to prison.

Sexual Content: Prisoners are seen in their underwear. Couples kiss.

Language: The script includes some brief name-calling. Some terms of Deity is heard in a song’s lyrics.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Alcohol is served during a police investigation and at a lunch. A bartender is seen mixing drinks in the background of one scene.

Other: In the short film shown at the start of the movie, possible drinking is depicted at a Monsters University frat party.

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Muppets Most Wanted Parents' Guide

When Constantine pretends to be Kermit, he allows all of the Muppets to do whatever they want during the show. He also proposes to Miss Piggy. Why is it sometimes as much fun (or even more) to anticipate or wish for something, than it is to actually get it?

This film has a huge number of celebrities who make cameo appearances. Why do you think these stars would agree to being seen for so short a moment? What would make you want to be in the movie, even if only briefly?

Does this movie struggle with trying to appeal to both children and adults? What elements of this film will children enjoy most? What kind of jokes does the script include for adults? Does this combination work for you?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Muppets Most Wanted movie is August 12, 2014. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Muppets Most Wanted: The Unnecessarily Extended Edition

Release Date: 12 August 2014

Muppets Most Wanted releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) in The Unnecessarily Extended Edition. This version is 120 minutes long and includes the following bonus extras:

- The Original Theatrical Cut

- The Statler and Waldorf Cut

- The Unnecessarily Extended Cut

- The Longer Longest Blooper Reel in Muppets History

- Rizzo’s Biggest Fan

- “I’ll Get You What You Want” Music Video Performed by Bret McKenzie

- Frog-E-Oke: I’m Number One

Related home video titles:

This film bears similarities to The Great Muppet Caper, where Fuzzy Bear plays Kermit’s twin, and the Muppet gang has to foil the plot of an underhanded jewel thief. Other movies featuring Jim Henson’s famous puppets include: The Muppet Movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Muppets From Space and The Muppets.

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