The Muppets ***1/2

Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Jack Black, and the voices of Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz
Director: James Bobin
Running Length: 1:37
MPAA Classification: PG

Walter (Linz) is a Muppet-like boy whose dream is to see the Muppet Studios.  Gary (Segel), his big brother, decides to bring him along on a California vacation that he had planned with his girlfriend, Mary (Adams).  While touring the run down Muppet Studios, Walter learns of a sinister plan by millionaire Tex Richman (Cooper) to tear down the studio and drill for oil.  They embark on a plan to thwart Richman's scheme and reunite the Muppets to save the studio.

This is a fun movie.  Of course, I have a soft spot in my heart for the Muppets.  I remember watching The Muppet Show as a child and loving it.  This movie is definitely able to tap into that nostalgia, and it will resonate with others who remember that great show.  There is something truly great about seeing the Muppets on screen again, and handled in such a reverant way.  Jason Segel is the driving force behind this movie, not just starring in and co-writing it, but pushing to get it made in the first place.  Segel and Adams are great as Gary and Mary, providing a likability and certain level of cheesiness that works perfectly.

I have seen this movie about five times now, and have found that it does not grow old with repeated viewings.  The songs are wonderful, from the new stuff to classics like "The Rainbow Connection".  When I initially saw it in the theater, everyone, from child to adult, enjoyed it.  Perhaps the adults even enjoyed it more than the kids.  The Muppets is like visiting with old friends again.  I highly recomment checking it out!

Tropic Thunder ***1/2

Tropic Thunder ***1/2Cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey
Director: Ben Stiller
Running Length: 1:46
MPAA Classification: R

On the set of a Vietnam movie, the start are proving difficult for director Damien (Coogan) to handle. Those stars include: Speedman (Stiller), a one time action star whose better days are behind him; Portnoy (Black), a heroin-addicted funny man whose fame is a result of fart jokes; and Lazarus (Downey Jr.), an Oscar-winning method actor that has received “pigment alteration” to play a black soldier. Damien decides to take the stars to the jungle and shoot the film guerilla style, hoping for realism. A land mine and some drug dealers change the equation, and soon the line between fiction and cold hard reality are blurred.

“Tropic Thunder” is a satiric look at the movie industry on all levels. Director Stiller obviously knows the industry and is not afraid to show the less glamorous side of things. Somewhat surprisingly, of the three leads, the non-comedian Downey gets the biggest laughs. Tom Cruise is also excellent and almost unrecognizable as a studio executive. There is plenty of action here too. This is a really funny movie that gives a non-flattering look at the movie business. I highly recommend this film.

Kung Fu Panda ***
Cast (voices): Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Randall Duk Kim
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Running Length: 1:30
MPAA Classification: PG

Po the panda (Black) wants to be a martial arts expert. Unfortunately for him, he is working for his father (Hong) making noodle soup. One day, at the nearby temple, Master Oogway (Kim) has a vision that the evil Tia Lung (McShane) will escape from prison and wreak havoc. Now Oogway must determine who will be the Dragon Warrior, and defeat Tia Lung. The five contenders are: Monkey (Chan), Tigress (Jolie), Viper (Liu), Crand (Cross), and Mantis (Rogen), all apprentices of Master Shifu (Hoffman). Somehow, all of them are overlooked and Po is chosen. Now, Po must find it within himself to save the village, as Tia Lung has just escaped.

“Kung Fu Panda” is an entertaining, action packed film. The voice talents are all well chosen, especially Jack Black as the titular panda. The humor works, and adults and children will enjoy this film. The animation, while good, is about what one has come to expect in animated films. The animation bar is high, and “Kung Fu Panda” makes it over, but does not blow it away. “Kung Fu Panda” is a good family movie, and I recommend it.