This crude and vulgar serial-homicide thriller involves the puppet cast of a beloved ‘80s children’s TV show who are being murdered one-by-one, prompting a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet to investigate. Phil Phillips (voiced by Muppet vet Bill Barretta) is hired by femme fatale Sandra White (Dorien Davies) to stop the killings, which he is eager to do, since one of the stars was Phil’s brother Larry (Victor Yerrid) and the show’s only human actress, Jenny (Elizabeth Banks), was once Phil’s lover. Complicating matters is Phil’s troubled relationship with his former LAPD partner, Det. Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy), who—after being seriously injured during the incident that destroyed Phil’s career—underwent emergency abdominal surgery in which she received a puppet liver. As a result, Connie has developed a serious sugar addiction, prompting her to gulp huge quantities of maple syrup. The highly reputable Sesame Workshop sued STX Entertainment’s “deliberate effort to appropriate its SESAME STREET trademark, and its trusted brand and goodwill, to promote their R-rated movie,” objecting to the tagline “NO SESAME, ALL STREET” in this film featuring profane, drug-using, misogynistic, violent, copulating, and even ejaculating puppets (the case was dismissed). Directed by Muppets creator Jim Henson’s son Brian, The Happytime Murders is simply not funny, except for comedienne Maya Rudolph as Phil’s lovelorn secretary. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Brian Henson and puppeteer Bill Barretta, deleted scenes (15 min.), and the production featurettes “VFX Breakdown” (4 min.), “Avatar Demo” (3 min.), “Line-O-Rama” (3 min.), and “Virtual Environments” (2 min.), as well as a gag reel (3 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an awful movie.] (S. Granger)
The Happytime Murders
Universal, 92 min., R, DVD: $29.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.98, Dec. 4 Volume 33, Issue 6
The Happytime Murders
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