“The most sophisticated people I know – inside they are all children.”  ― Jim Henson (1936-1990)

How very true this quote is. Mr. Henson’s creation, the Muppets, brings out the child in each of us. The latest full-length motion picture to star Kermit, Miss Piggy and the whole Muppet crew, “Muppets: Most Wanted” is a most entertaining movie night. The song and dance routines had me tapping my toes, making me want to get up and dance! I had a swell time of it. All human leads, Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey are excellent. My favorite is “Modern Family’s” Ty Burrell. His French Interpol character is perfectly suited to his comic style.

For as much as the Muppets are associated with children, frankly, this movie would be lost on anyone under the age of 40! References to movies of the 1920s through the 1950s, rock ’n roll imagery, making light of European bureaucracy, and Cold War iconography will not be understood by children. Nor will the many celebrity cameos, a Muppet movie trademark, be appreciated by the youngest of movie goers. The jokes, both verbal and visual, are aimed at adults. I have always thought that about most cartoons, as well as the Muppets. Kiddies will laugh at the slapstick and the funny-looking characters. By and large, however, I would say parents will be spending much time explaining the movie to their children. At the start of the movie, I overheard an 8-year old girl ask, “What does that mean?”