A few years ago Jason Segel did us all a great service by bringing back Jim Henson’s Muppets with his movie “The Muppets.” It brought back the feeling of the original movie and went on to become a big hit. It was no surprise that a sequel was put in the works and that movie opens today, March 21 “Muppets Most Wanted.” Like many of its predecessors, this is also a musical. The first number in the movie is about making a sequel and there is one line in there on how sequels are usually not as good as the previous installments. While that line may prepare you for a movie that will not be as good as the 2011 movie, it is actually the exact opposite. This movie surpasses the last one and may be the best Muppet movie to date since the original.

“Muppets Most Wanted” takes place where the last one left off… immediately! Right after the closing number of the last movie. The Muppets are unsure what they should do next, but a sleek manager (Ricky Gervais) sets them up to capitalize on their regained famed by setting them up to go on a grand world tour. The Muppets agree, but everywhere they play a major burglary takes place nearby. Plus, Kermit is not acting like himself. Meanwhile, in Siberia, the famous criminal Constantine has been recaptured who bears a strikingly resemblance to Kermit.

While the musical numbers in the last movie were hit or miss, all the ones in this movie are really good. There is a good variety on the kinds of numbers they are and they also often push the story forward. It doesn’t matter if The Muppets are singing or one of the human characters, each one is a delight.