Play "Rainbow Connection"!

The Muppets' new movie is lots of fun, zany and charming, with a love of slapstick that's carefully done. The more I think of it, the more the movie reminds me of reuniting indie rock bands from the 1980s and 1990s than it does of any other new movie I've seen recently. The movie's plot is essentially a reunion show: Everyone reconvenes for one big gig, to save their museum from falling into the hands of a mean-spirited oil tycoon, while learning about the importance of lifelong friendship. The real-life commercial context is essentially the same: After years of inaction, when Disney apparently was unsure what to do with the characters, the Muppets have come back for a big show, which gets lots of knowing, fourth-wall-breaking winks through the film.

Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy et al return to remind their fans from the early '80s, now all grown, why they mattered so much in the early days and to show the new kids that a lot of what they like these days comes from them. You know, exactly like Pavement, Sebadoh, Pulp et al have done during the past eight years or so. The Muppets play some of their classic material, including "Rainbow Connection," but also branch out just enough, with the help of actor Jason Segel, who spearheaded the revival and wrote much of the movie, so that the material is fresh yet comfortable. You recognize the hits, but there are enough new songs and jokes that the whole purpose isn't simply to repeat the past. And just as once obscure indie rock bands have found financial success now that their once penniless 20-something fans are mid-career professionals and Pitchfork sends their popularity skyward with those professionals' children, the Muppets' movie has proved to be a solid hit.

Let's hope this reunion is more like Mission of Burma's or Dinosaur Jr.'s, where they're inspired to release new records that build on the past, than like the Pixies', who've been performing "Doolittle" live for nearly eight years now -- and nothing but -- without writing new songs. The Muppets deserve it. Above is the video for "Man or Muppet," one of the movie's new songs that I thought was very funny.