As we all know making a sequel is a risky business. Even before “Muppets Most Wanted” started, I saw the horrors of misplaced Hollywood demand during the credits; apparently someone decided “Planes 2” was a good idea.  My stomach started to squirm. What if this too was an unbearable sequel? However, with the opening song, my worries quickly melted away. “We’re Doing a Sequel/That’s what we do in Hollywood/And everybody knows/The sequel’s never quite as good.” This movie knew what it was getting into, and I was able to enjoy the rest without worry.

I guess I should begin by saying that the sequel wasn’t quite as good, but I’d pay to see this movie a couple more times. Beginning right where the last film ended, the Muppets head out on a world tour at the suggestion of their new tour manager, Dominic Badguy, played by Ricky Gervais. Little do the Muppets know, but Dominic Badguy is working with the most dangerous frog in the world, Constantine, who happens to look almost exactly like Kermit. As one can probably guess, Constantine infiltrates The Muppets while Kermit gets locked up.

I have a lot of childhood nostalgia tied to this movie, but even if you’re new to the Muppet universe, “Muppets Most Wanted” is filled with charming musical numbers, fabulous guest stars, and classic muppet comedy. “Interrogation Song” is a delightful duet of witty rhymes between Ty Burrell’s character, Jean Pierre Napoleon, and Sam the Eagle. The irony and word-play of the song itself combined with Tina Fey’s Russian accent makes “The Big House” another favorite, but “I’ll Get You Want You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu)” was neither catchy nor clever, making it a weak point for the movie. However, from Tom Hiddleston to Lady Gaga, the celebrity cameos make up for moments like that.