"Muppets: Most Wanted" Isn't Just For Kids, Apparently
For a kids’ movie, The Muppets: Most Wanted has more than its fair share of decidedly adult jokes. Of course, it’s no surprise that a film starring top tier comedians like Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey would have a few jokes aimed at the grownups.
Those mainly consisted of a Russian gulag, looking just like you’d imagine a Russian gulag in an American film to look, and some running jokes about Europeans’ work habits and frequent vacations. The end of American diplomacy this certainly isn’t, but it’s more than just a fun-filled colorful romp for children. And definitely more complex than its 2011 predecessor.
The movie sees the gang riding high on the wave of their success from 2011 and signing on to do a tour with the not-at-all-suspicious Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) – a promoter who doesn’t seem to have his clients’ best interests at heart. Dominic is in cahoots with Constantine, a criminal frog who bears a striking resemblance to Kermit. The two work a mistaken-identity trick that lands Kermit in the gulag and allows Constantine to take his place on the Muppet world tour. Then Dominic and Constantine use the Muppets’ tour to orchestrate a complex scheme and steal the crown jewels of Britain. Everyone always goes for the crown jewels.
Besides Mr. Gervais, the film features Ty Burrell, of “Modern Family,” as an Interpol agent (he’s also the subject and punch line of most of the Europe-related jokes) and Tina Fey as a gulag guard.