Newspaper reporters Kermit, Gonzo and Fozzie head to London to look into a sensational jewel theft, but Miss Piggy complicates everything. The sequel to The Muppet Movie (1979) has less ambition and star cameos, but amps up the number of meta jokes; the opening credits are devoted to small talk about… opening credits. The jewel theft is for the birds and neither Charles Grodin nor Diana Rigg are very interesting, but the Muppets themselves compensate hugely; amusing dialogue, a few wild chases and colorful musical numbers (some with touches of Busby Berkeley) add to the fun.
1981-Britain. 95 min. Color. Directed by Jim Henson. Song: “The First Time It Happens” (Joe Raposo). Cast: Charles Grodin (Nicky Holiday), Diana Rigg (Lady Holiday), John Cleese (Neville), Robert Morley, Peter Ustinov, Jack Warden. Muppet Performers: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt. Cameo: Peter Falk.
Trivia: The Muppets next appeared in The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984).
