Muppets Most Wanted/Million Dollar Arm

We have now come to the 2014 sequel, “Muppets Most Wanted.” Stephen Schaefer started his review out by saying, “Although Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” begins on a slightly pessimistic note (the gang sings about starring in a sequel “which can never be as good as the first”), this showbiz-y follow-up to their 2011 comeback is well paced and well done.”

It’s a European trip where Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire) encounters with his Russian doppelganger Constantine (Matt Vogel), whose only difference is a noticeable mole, and is mistakenly locked in a scary Siberian Gulag under the equally scary dictator Nadya (Tina Fey).

Also with Ricky Gervais as the Muppets’ slimy, conniving road manager, the Kermit-disguising Constantine takes control of the group’s European tour.

Constantine enjoys being the world’s No. 1 criminal frog and constantly rubs in Gervais’ rightly named Dominic Badguy that he’s only No. 2.

This evil duo has an evil plan to steal the Queen of England’s crown jewels from the Tower of London.

Before they can steal the crown, a series of well-planned robberies is needed, each one giving them another means to grab their main loot.

Schaefer said, “So kids, here’s a world tour, beginning in Berlin’s National Theater, conveniently next to a museum where Constantine requires a painting.”

Then it goes to Madrid’s Prado Museum to rob the bank next door, followed by going to Dublin and then the biggest stealing finale, which is to agree with the fake Kermit marrying longtime lover Miss Piggy, voiced by Eric Jacobson who reminds us that he can’t do as well of a job that Frank Oz did.

As the Muppets travel and famous cameos come in – among them Salma Hayek, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, rapper Usher, singer Josh Groban, Zach Galifianakis – the real Kermit is succeeded with the help of fellow gulagers (Ray Liotta, Danny Trejo and Jermaine Clemen) on putting on a stage show.

Schaefer said, “Pulling up the rear are a pair of hapless, not so secret agents (Sam the Eagle and a moustached, French accented Ty Burrell doing live action after his canine vocal chores in “Mr. Peabody & Sherman”).”

If the ending is never in suspicion and the jokes often too soft, “Muppets Most Wanted” stays a noisy combo.

Next up is the 2014 baseball movie, “Million Dollar Arm.” Whether playing an advertising executive on “Mad Men” or a troubled sports agent in this Disney film, Jon Hamm doesn’t need any help with pitching. Susan Tavernetti said in her review, “With suave confidence, he throws marketable, high-concept ideas right into the strike zone.” Hamm has everything needed here. Also, director Craig Gillespie knows what actor to cast, giving close-up after close-up of the actor who makes every moment look real. After more than 15 years working mainly in television, Hamm is ready for movie roles.

Tavernetti said, “But the baseball movie is about as predictable as a box of Cracker Jacks. The nominal prize is the heartfelt sentiment that transcends the line-up of clichés.” An underdog and a story about an unknown, Thomas McCarthy’s screenplay is about J.B. Bernstein (Hamm) convincing an Asian sponsor (Tzi Ma) to put on a contest throughout India to look for circket players with exact fastballs – million dollar arms. Bernstein also convinces USC’s Coach Tom House, played by Bill Paxton, to make the finalists into Major League Baseball pitchers. The stakes are large for Bernstein and his partner Ash, played by a former correspondent on “The Daily Show,” Aasif Mandvi, who needs one big client to stay in business.

Situational humor gives interest as Bernstein, along with a gruff major league inspector, played by Alan Arkin, travel to cricket-playing India. Tavernetti noted, “The two men wear poker faces and don't react to cultural differences. Instead the spectator is expected to laugh at everything from inadequate Mumbai office space to villagers bringing cows into their homes and endless Million Dollar Arm contestants throwing baseballs too slowly or completely out of control.” Local baseball fanatic Amit, played by Bollywood actor Pitobash, joins the search, filling the movie with comedy and compassion.

Tavernetti noted, “The second half of the film takes place in Los Angeles and lacks a strong driving force.” Amit and pair of finalists, Rinku (Suraj Sharma) and Dinesh (Madhur Mitall), move into Bernstein’s house, train for tryouts, really have a bad case of culture clash, and run into a completely broken worse-case scenario: If no major league sings them, they get to return home to India and their loving families. Tavernetti said, “Without a do-or-die dream, the protagonists deflate the movie's suspense.”

Staying to its tagline, “Sometimes to win, you have to change the game,” the Disney movie isn’t really a sports movie at all. The real story is about Bernstein changing from a smooth businessman into a human being, as the task of the deal gives way to problems of the heart, giving audiences a game changer both charming and inspiring.

Well, be prepared tomorrow where we look at a mix of stuff in “Disney Live-Action Month.”