Film Review: The Happytime Murders Is A Strange, Puppet Comedy
The Happytime Murders is a strange film that can even be seen by its cover. A puppet? Melissa McCarthy? Together? Yet, in its strangeness it rises to be both hilarious, and, at times, poignant on its notes on prejudice. Directed by Brian Henson and written by Todd Berger, The Happytime Murders is putting the Street to Sesame!
Bill Barretta voices Phil Phillips, and gives him a Robert Deniro “Mean Streets” quality. This puppet is miserable, miserly, and moving through a world that does not care that he is either because he is filled with fluff. As we are introduced to Phil’s world, the word “Whaaatttt?” will definitely play in your head. Then, Melissa McCarthy enters the screen to help you loosen into the surreal comedy.
Playing Detective Connie Edwards, McCarthy never fails to provide her bombastic, foul-mouthed wit, and, of course, YOU LOVE IT! F words fly between her and Phil, whom are bitter over a case gone wrong that left them both on the outskirts of their precinct and their pride. The humor of these characters is completely derived from their tragedies at both being alone, alienated, and struggling to return to their former glory. Unfortunately/ luckily, The Happytime Murders begin, and they are put on the path of redemption: whether they like it or not.
From the beginning, the film sets up that puppets are worse than second class citizens: they are fifth. They are overtly and purposefully treated like nothing; with dogs being released upon them to rip out their stuffing. While, at first, you laugh at the lunacy, as the movie goes forward, you find it sad. The constant and blatant disrespect boils Phillips’ blood, especially because he had done so much to disrupt and disprove these negative stereotypes throughout his career; only to have one tragedy pour it down the drain. Thus, in a subtle way, The Happytime Murders addresses how cruelly we treat difference; to the point that you could be framed and imprisoned just because you are of a different race, even if puppet. Still, this is a comedy!
The Happytime Murders is a crime comedy resolving the murders of an acclaimed puppet show that is reaching its 10th anniversary, which means its cast members are due millions. As someone begins to kill them, Connie and Phil must unite to figure out if it is someone in the main cast is turning on his/ her fellow members. With each cast member you meet, hilarity ensues over their world and makes you laugh at how reflective they are of human situations through puppetry. From sex to sugar addictions, this film has it all, and it is absolute madness in the most casual way. Through puppets, Henson and Berger are allowed to amp up that humanity is crazy: for better or worse.
From greed to goodness, humanity can be it all, and this comedy proves that. Moreover, it has a sequel potential because you could see yourself watching Connie and Phil solving future murders, especially with Maya Rudolph’s sweet, surprisingly smart secretary, “Bubbles.” At 91 minutes, The Happytime Murders feels like a quick, to the point comedy. You are there to laugh at its Airplane-esque situations and pacing to then leave and analyze its richer points. The Happytime Murders Comes Out In Theaters On August 24.
