The Muppets are back! Muppets Most Wanted is a direct follow-up to 2011’s The Muppets, literally starting exactly where that film ended. With their renewed popularity, the Muppets are convinced to go on a world tour by a booking agent named Dominic Badguy. After an argument, Kermit finds himself confused for an escaped criminal named Constantine and is sent to Russian Gulag prison. Meanwhile, Constantine masquerades as the world’s most lovable frog. Will the Muppets realize their indifferent leader isn’t the real Kermit? Will Kermit ever get out of Gulag? Will Miss Piggy ever get to perform a duet with her idol, Celine Dion? All of these questions will be answered when you watch Muppets Most Wanted.
On August 12th, Disney is releasing the Muppets latest feature film on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD. On Blu-Ray, it is available as “The Unnecessarily Extended Edition,” which includes Blu-Ray, DVD, and a digital copy. The Blu-Ray disc presents the film in three ways: theatrical version (107 minutes), extended version (119 minutes) and the Statler & Waldorf cut (1 minute, 47 seconds). What is extended? “I’ll Give You What You Want” is the full song from the soundtrack and then a few unmemorable scenes are added back into the film. The theatrical cut offers a stronger film, but the extended cut is a nice addition (now if only Disney would release the extended cut of A Muppets Christmas Carol on Blu-Ray…). The Statler & Waldorf cut features an introduction by the famous curmudgeons explaining this is their own version of the film. Their introduction takes 40 seconds, the Disney intro takes another 30, and then they rewind through the film to one of their scenes.
I adored this film in theaters and loved it just as much in my living room. I’m a big Muppet fan and am in the minority who prefer this to The Muppets. While this film doesn’t have as much heart as the previous film, it has more Muppets, more jokes, better songs, and reminds me a lot of The Great Muppet Caper.
Video
The Blu-Ray 1080p presentation is flawless. The vibrant colors of each Muppet pop in high definition. Black levels are well done and the original theatrical aspect ratio is retained (1.78:1).
The DVD offers a less impressive picture, but it’s sure to please fans of that format (which is still a higher market share than Blu-Ray). Only the theatrical cut is offered on DVD.
Audio
Disney has prepared a DTS HD 7.1 surround track for the Blu-Ray that allows all of the sound effects and music to fill your living room. Other audio options include a Descriptive Video Service and French and Spanish 5.1 tracks.
The digital copy and DVD both have a 5.1 surround track that does a fine job as well.
Bonus Features
The bonus features assortment is seemingly light, but it is important to remember the Extended Edition provides deleted scenes (sadly they aren’t presented separately) and the Statler and Waldorf cut is basically a bonus feature that’s located in the wrong spot on the disc.
- The Longer Longest Blooper Real in Muppets History – This nearly-10 minute blooper reel features talking-head interviews with the Muppets about their costars interspersed between bloopers from filming.
- Rizzo’s Biggest Fan – Rizza makes a video response to director James Bobin that lasts nearly 3-minutes complaining about his lack of a role in Muppets Most Wanted.
- “I’ll Get You What You Want” Music Video preformed by Bret McKenzie – Singer/Songwriter Bret McKenzie performs Constantine’s big ballad in a remake of the scene from the film.
The digital copy on iTunes includes all of these bonus features (but does not include the extended version or Statler & Waldorf cut). The DVD’s one-and-only bonus feature is the Bret McKenzie music video.
Menu & Packaging
The Blu-Ray menu features Muppets behind police glass interacting with Sam Eagle on the outside.
The standard Blu-Ray case is housed in a foil embossed slipcover. The Blu-Ray and DVD discs are held in opposite sides of the case. Inserts inside are for Muppet-themed coupons, Disney Movie Club, and your Disney Movie Rewards/digital copy code. The back of the box incorrectly states the extended versions runtime at 124 minutes (it’s 119 minutes).
Entering your code on Disney Movie Rewards will earn you 150 points. When redeeming your digital copy, selecting iTunes and Disney Movies Anywhere gets you an HD download and an SD streaming copy on Disney’s new service. The iTunes download includes iTunes extras as a single download. The menu is basic and the film is the theatrical cut.
Both discs open with ads for Disney Movies Anywhere, Sleeping Beauty Diamond Edition, Maleficent and Bears. Selecting additional previews from the menu adds Disney Movie Rewards, Disney Infinity, and Legend of the Never Beast.
Final Thoughts
Muppets Most Wanted belongs in the collection of every Muppet fan. The Blu-Ray will delight them with an extended cut and a handful of fun bonus features. The digital-only release loses points for not having the extended and Statler & Waldorf cuts. The DVD is a weak effort that further pushes Disney’s effort to wean consumers off the format. But no matter which option you chose, the film is solid fun and I highly recommend it.