Muppets Most Wanted

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssss! The Muppets are back and better than ever, or are they? After 2011's brilliant reboot to the franchise the Muppets return for a sequel, where this time they go on a world tour. The only problem is that they are being scammed by the evil frog Constantine who replaces Kermit and hilarity ensues.

I loved the previous film, it was brilliantly created in a way that brought a fresh new take on the Muppets as well as being nostalgic to the past popularity of the franchise. The second film, although great, seems to be missing that certain care and affection that I felt Jason Segel brought to the film that he wrote and starred in. The sequel doesn't feel fully like a cash grab but there are aspects of the previous film that don't seem to have resonated as much in this one. The Muppets however are very self aware and even they announce in their opening song that 'the sequel is never quite as good'.

Unfortunately Jason Segel and Amy Adams didn't return for the sequel and that does leave a bit of hole for this film. However the new players include Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey and they each do great in their roles as do the whole lot of cameos that take place constantly throughout the film. It's always great to see actors and celebrities not take themselves too seriously.

A lot of the film sees Kermit trapped at a gulag in Siberia and although these scenes are some of the best in the film, it doesn't help the fact that a part of The Muppets is missing when he is not with them. His doppelganger, Constantine, however provides some of the best laughs with his awful impersonation of the famous frog.

Returning behind the scenes is composer Brett McKenzie. His work on the last film won him an Oscar and the songs on Muppets Most Wanted are just as brilliant this time round as they were last but never really touching the heights of the excellent 'Man or Muppet'.

The best thing about Muppets Most Wanted is its humour. It's stupid and bonkers and it knows it. I don't think I stopped smiling throughout the whole film. It's very self aware and constantly referencing to different films making it a film students dream, especially when they reference The Seventh Seal in their opening song. It's just brilliantly stupid and even when the story starts to slow the laughs never do.

It had a lot to live up to after it's previous film and although it doesn't get it fully right there is enough here to satisfy a big Muppets fan like me. I have no doubt that I will be watching this film multiple times because it's too much fun not to. I am rating Muppets Most Wanted a 3/5.

What did you think of Muppets Most Wanted? Let me know in the comments below.

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My Most Anticipated Films of 2014

It's that time of the year where we can look to the future of films in 2014 and see which ones will be on our 'must watch' list. So before I go back and review this year, take a look at the films I am anticipating the most in 2014. And to make this list more approachable for American audiences I have not included films that came out this month in the states. If I had, Her and The Wolf of Wall Street would be at the top of my list! 

10. The Hobbit: There and Back Again (December)

Although I disliked the second outing in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, I am still cautiously optomistic about the third and final outing. It's going to be an epic spectacle with the showdown with Smaug and The Battle of Five Armies about to commence. I look forward to seeing a trailer for this one but I am still not going to get my hopes too high.

9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (November)

I was pleasantly surprised at how good Catching Fire was, which has made Mockingjay, the first part of a two part finale of The Hunger Games, go up on my list. It will be interesting to see what the first film contains after the studio have split the book into two films. As a reader of the books I know there are a lot more twists and turns in place that I cannot wait to see on the big screen. 

8. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (May)

Spider-Man is my favourite superhero but after 2012's disappointing first film I am being cautious about how excited I get for this one. The trailer looks awesome but they seem to have gotten rid of a lot of ideas and themes of the first film making this look like it could be just another Raimi esque film instead of taking a completely new direction. Sony have faith in the franchise now as they have just announced they are opening up the universe with spin off films for Venom and The Sinister Six, I won't know how I feel about this news until I see the latest instalment in May. Fingers crossed it doesn't disappoint. 

7. Muppets Most Wanted (March)

The Muppets reboot with Jason Segal turned out to be one of my favourite films, it was fun to watch and very, very funny. Although we are missing our human lead in the sequel I have no doubt that it will be great. I only need to leave the cinema half as happy as I did last time for this one to be great! 

6. Godzilla (May)

Any film starring Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen will have my money but if that film also happens to star Godzilla well then thats just a bonus. Wait, the film is also directed by Monsters director, Gareth Edwards? I want. I want now. This film has the potential blow your mind, just check out the trailer. This is definitely one to watch!

5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April)

The Avengers made Captain America cool and now he just seems to be in his element after the new trailer for his second film came out earlier this year. It looks to be a lot of fun and no trailer has got me so excited for a new film like this one. I can't wait to see where they take Cap next!
4. Tusk (TBD)

Anything coming out of the weird and wonderful mind that is Kevin Smith's will put my bum in a cinema seat, unless of course it's a sequel to Cop Out. His latest film is based on an idea he had from one of his podcasts when he saw an advert on GumTree from a man asking for somebody to be his human walrus. Smith then turned this advert into an idea for a creepy messed up horror film that will see him re-teaming up with Micheal Parks to create a human walrus hybrid suit thing. It's going to weird but no doubt awesome.

3. Interstellar (November)

Any film from Christopher Nolan has my money. Any film starring Mathew Mcconaughey has my money. Well then Interstellar is a no brainer then because it has both! I think it's about space and black holes but who cares, it will no doubt be exceptional. 

2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (May)

With Bryan Singer back at the helm tackling the X-Mens biggest story yet, we will no doubt get excellence. Crossing over between the future and the past this could be an epic adventure that nothing can top. Oh wait, they just announced X-Men: Apocalypse for 2016!? The X-Men franchise is going to big places, I for one cannot wait!

1. Guardians of the Galaxy (August)

I want to see how Marvel handle this film because it's something a bit different to what we've seen before. It has a walking, talking, gun holding Raccoon. It could be awful but I have faith, especially with the leaked Comic Con footage from earlier this year looking very, very good. It tops my list because I can't picture how its going to look in my head but I have no doubt that Marvel wouldn't have invested in this risky project if it wasn't going to be amazing. I can't wait to see how Guardians of the Galaxy turns out!

What are you're most anticipated films for 2014? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

A Big Week For The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Wow, what a week it has been for The Amazing Spider-Man 2. A new costume and a new cast member who will be taking the form of Norman Osborn! As you guys know I'm a big Spider-Man fan blah blah blah... you've heard it all before. Got my hopes up a bit too much for the first film only to be let down, so this time round I have tried not to get too excited. However that is quite hard when the new suit looks like this!

Now compared to the first ASM this has changed quite drastically. And as the internet pointed out, it looks a lot like the suit from the Raimi films. I wouldn't mind this if it wasn't for the studios determination to make these films different from the original and so far not doing a great job at that. I however cannot stop looking at this! It look... well amazing. This is the suit I have been wanting from Spider-Man films since the start. Just look at those eyes, I like those the most. Hopefully our hero will leave his mask on long enough for us to get a good look at them in action this time. So most of all this looks like a good decision from ASM 2 so far. I do hope that the film gives a good explanation for this change in costume that looks more comic book style compared to the more realistic approach in the first film. I don't want them just to change him like this and give no reason why. 

We have also had the first set pics that show us Shailene Woodley as the new Mary Jane Watson next to the brilliant Andrew Garfield who looks like he has given Peter Parker some fashion sense, for better or worse. I for one am unsure about the obvious red and blue clothes situation. Yes we get it, he's Spider-Man.

Looks like we are going to get a more 'Ultimate Spider-Man' take on Mary Jane this time round, which I am happy with. Not many women look like MJ from the original comics, though apparently not everyone knows this as so far there has been a lot of negativity over Woodley being cast in the role. I for one look forward to her portrayal, she has hard work ahead after Emma Stone's incredible performance as Gwen Stacy. Looks like Spidey's love life is about to get a bit complicated. 

It has also just been confirmed that Chris Cooper is going to be playing Spider-Man's arch nemesis Norman Osborn. I doubt he will don the Green Goblin costume until the threequel, but I am pretty happy with this casting, however it may take some time to take him seriously after his turn as the villain in The Muppets. 

I'm just kidding, he is a solid actor and I am sure he will do a great job.

So that is yet another villain added to the cast that already sees Jamie Foxx as Electro and Paul Giamatti possibly as The Rhino. We also have Dane DeHann joining as Harry Osborn. Looks like Spidey is going to have his work cut out for him. I just hope that this is just a starting point for the Green Goblin and The Rhino as if not we could end up with another Spider-Man 3 on our hands and nobody wants that. Hopefully if the reports are true, director Marc Webb might be setting up a Spider-Man universe that could one day see The Sinister Six be brought to the big screen. Here is the official synopsis for the film:

“In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, for Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), life is busy,” begins the official blurb. “Between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen (Emma Stone), high school graduation can’t come quickly enough.

“Peter hasn’t forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away - but that’s a promise he just can’t keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro (Jamie Foxx), emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past.”

I sure am hoping this film will be good and deserved of it's title. Though I'm guessing that could change any day now!

What do you guys think about all these updates on ASM 2? Are you looking forward to it?

Please comment below and thank you for reading!