It's probably one word that may turn things upside down and change the course of events. It's the word Muppets, where these people seem to be involved in stealing the jewel in Europe because of Kermit and his cowardly partner, and perhaps it will be wrong.
Kids will enjoy it, and there are more than enough clever gags to keep parents amused. But the film lacks the tenderness and rich nostalgia that made The Muppets such an improbable delight.
Muppets Most Wanted embraces its absurdity and fearlessly allows its contrivances to shine-always playing for laughs above plausibility and never taking itself seriously.
Is this the best Muppet movie that ever has been or ever will be? No. Is it the worst? Not when Muppets from Space exists. But comfortably in the middle of Muppet canon is a pretty OK, Netflixable place to be.
All the road trip conventions are here, but the fun is in the puppetry, the puns, the sight gags, the interaction between Muppets and humans, and the exceptional music.
Opens with a self-referential song that comments on the fact that sequels are never quite as good as the film that inspired them and then goes on to prove the point.
Knowingly pokes fun at its duties as a sequel - and the disappointment that usually comes with follow-ups - and the results are more than satisfactory.
If it doesn't quite manage to equal the total satisfaction of its predecessor, it's hard to get too persnickety about a picture as joyful and sweet as this one.