The Muppets have always had a special place in my heart. I discovered them when I was growing up, after my watching-Disney-movies-on-loop phase. Looking back on them, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Muppets are far superior to anything of Disney’s, largely because the comedy and the content is wide enough to satisfy child and adult audiences alike. I laughed at the Muppets as a kid, and when I watch them now as a 21-year-old I still find myself laughing at their old gags, as well as the things I didn’t notice before. I can also attribute to them much of the English I learned as a kid growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, as well as my sense of humor. The Muppet franchise wasn’t Shakespeare, but the complex dialogue and social parody was enough to give me a good grasp of language at an early age.

So it was an exciting day when I went to watch “The Muppets” when it came out during Thanksgiving break. Although the storyline wasn’t the most creative of the franchise, I’m happy that Jason Segel, the director, didn’t, for the most part, lose sight of the inoffensive irony and quirky satire that made the Muppets successful in their younger years. At one moment the Muppets are actors, playing their respective roles and moving the plot along its course, and in another they step out of the movie, addressing the audience, and poking fun at the artificiality of their story. The villain in “The Muppets,” oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Copper), is like all Muppet villains should be, unerringly evil, but in an endearing way that can’t help but make you smile when you see his antics. Staying true to Jim Henson’s style, “The Muppets” isn’t bogged down with computer graphics or intense action scenes; the characters made of reticulated polyfoam keep the audience hooked with their giggle-inducing charisma and heart-warming innocence.

“The Muppets” does have the problem of being in the awkward place between a tribute to the franchise and a reboot; there are plenty of references to older movies to satisfy the diehard Muppet fans, but the movie is also filled with pop references and actors ranging from “The Big Bang Theory”‘s Jim Parsons to a horde of Disney Channel child celebrities. Whatever it is, and whether or not you’re a fan, you won’t be disappointed if you go see this movie. Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and the Swedish Chef will make you roar with laughter, and Kermit’s songs will set your heart aflutter.