Instead of leaving us in stitches, the film unravels in an obvious, forced and almost boring way. A show that had both human and puppets working together harmoniously and we also learn Phil Phillips has several personal ties to. The plot thickens while on this case as Phillips witnesses several murders of cast members to a beloved children’s show The Happytime Gang. Phillips is hired by a femme fatale-looking puppet with bright red hair to look into some ransom letters she has been receiving.
This attempt at racial commentary that starts off the film is also quickly discarded and not really brought up again. Something I’ve only seen South Park properly execute… if we can call it that. But this satire falls flat alongside the equally racist and discriminating jokes made throughout the film. I actually dug this concept and thought it was a cute comparison to the horrifying discrimination and racism going on in our world. We just live in it.” Philips tells us grimly. Encompassing a neo-noir tone, Phil narrates the story as we follow along in this racist, discriminating world where puppets are second-class citizens to humans. Once the first puppet to serve on the police force, he is now a washed-up private investigator working in assisting fellow puppets downtrodden by a human-run world. The film plot introduces us to Phil Phillips, voiced by Bill Barretta. However, after viewing the film, I am disappointed to say it’s all stuffing, tangled yarn and worn down felt and not enough clever wit and original Henson humour.
Knowing Brian Henson, son of the late Jim Henson would also be directing provided that giddiness and hope it would not let me down. The cast was one I couldn’t complain about.
The idea of a rated R, made-for-adults, raunchy puppet movie tickled my fancy like you wouldn’t believe. Upon hearing about the film The Happytime Murders, I enthusiastically looked forward to the release on the silver screen! I grew up on Henson classics like The Muppet Show, Muppets Tonight and, of course, Sesame Street. Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Bill Barretta, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Leslie David Baker, Joel McHale, Dorien Davies Written by: Todd Berger, Dee Austin Robertson
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