The lovable, strange creatures created by Jim Henson are back. “The Muppets” is the first theatrical release featuring the puppets in a dozen years. But not everyone has been pleased by the prospect of their return. Directed by the co-creator of “Da Ali G Show” and co-written by a guy who works with Judd Apatow, the movie had its skeptics before it even finished filming — including Franz Oz, the voice that created Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear. Let me say: “The Muppets” is an affectionate homage to the characters those of us of a certain age know and love.
In fact, the film seems made for us, not a new generation of fans. Look at the names of some of the celebrities who make cameo appearances in the film: Dave Grohl, Zach Galifianakis, Neil Patrick Harris, James Carville, Jack Black and Sarah Silverman. Would anyone under the age of 35 recognize the face of Mickey Rooney? A Muppet barbershop quartet performs Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” A bunch of chickens do a version of Cee-Lo’s recent naughty song,
