Muppets Most Wanted will be loved by adults

Kermit, Miss Piggy and the Muppet crew connect with Ricky Gervais, who plays Dominic Badguy, Tina Fey starring as a prison guard, Ray Liotta as a prisoner, Ty Burrell doing a French Interpol detective and a dozen actors and singers in funny cameos.

Dominic promises the Muppets superstardom in exchange for control. Kermit isn't so sure. Not that it matters, right off the bat, that Dominic has Kermit kidnapped, imprisoned in a gulag and replaced by his exact double and the world's most dangerous frog, Constantine. The other Muppets sense Kermit is a different, but they're now superstars and have other things on their minds.

Dominic and Constantine then use the Muppets in an attempt to steal the crown jewels.

Muppet creator Jim Hensen would have loved Muppets Most Wanted. Co-writer and director James Bobin and his writing partner Nicholas Stoller, who did The Muppets in 2011, have Henson's sense of humor, wordplay, fun-poking and music down pat.

It's a great movie for the parents and the children who grew up with the Muppet TV series. They'll love it. They're connected to and invested in characters they know and love.

The grandchildren and children are not as familiar with Hensen and his Muppets. Many of them are too young to get the humor, and those who are old enough to laugh like a much different type of movie experience.

So it's doubtful they'll find this one that much fun.

Another problem. Muppets Most Wanted is too long. With a plot really aimed at an adult audience, by the 45-minute mark of this 112-minute movie, they'll be squirming in their seats.

Director: James Bobin

Stars: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, Ray Liotta, Zach Galifianakis, Rob Coddry, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Danny Trejo, Stanley Tucci, Frank Langella, Usher, Sean Combs, Saoirse Ronan, Christoph Waltz

Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars

Rated PG for mature themes. It's playing at Regal's Columbia Center 8, the Fairchild Cinemas 12 and at Walla Walla Grand Cinemas.

5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen

4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.

3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.

2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.

0 stars: Speaks for itself.

-- Does Mr. Movie's take on movies have you squirming in your seat? Let him know at www.tri-cityherald.com/arts/mrmovie.

This story was originally published March 20, 2014 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Muppets Most Wanted will be loved by adults."