The Muppets have faced many challenges over the years, from an industrialist trying to get Kermit as a fried frog legs spokesperson, to pirates, but their greatest challenge is at the heart of “The Muppets” movie. As a TV executive tells Kermit and the gang, no one knows who they are anymore.

Well, no one under the 20-something crowd. Children today no longer know who most of the Muppets are except for Kermit, and they only know about Kermit from Sesame Street.

The last Muppet movie was “Muppets from Space” in 1999. Since then the Muppets have only made two made-for-TV movies.

In “The Muppets” movie we are reminded about what made the Muppets so important to us growing up by Walter, the newest Muppet. The movie centers on Walter and Gary (Jason Segel), broth- ers who do everything together despite Walter being different (a muppet) as they grow up. One of the biggest things they do together is watch re-runs of ‘The Muppet Show’ when Walter is feeling down or is having a bad day.

Gary is dating Mary (Amy Adams) and as an anniversary gift, he is taking her to Los Angeles to “see the sites,” but as a last minute surprise to Mary, he is also taking Walter so he can visit the Muppet Theater.

While touring the dilapidated theater Walter overhears oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) revealing his plan to buy the theater to drill for oil and not turn it into a Muppet Show Museum, as he told Kermit.

Alarmed, the trio heads off to find Kermit and the rest of the Muppets so they can put on a final show to raise enough money to save the theater.

By the end of the movie Walter finds that he does have a place where he belongs that isn’t just with this family. It’s this message, or remembering that the Muppets have always stood for this message, that makes “The Muppet” movie so powerful.

The movie is really centered on Kermit and Miss Piggy, who are now divorced. While the other main Muppets also play a part, most of the Muppets only have bit parts, which is a bit of a disappointment because who can’t use more Swedish Chef? Also, like any other

Muppet movie there are cameos of stars like Jack Black, who unwillingly hosts the show, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman, Emily Blunt and Mickey Rooney to name a few.

Compared to the other Muppet movies, this movie has a more grown-up feel. Kermit doesn’t always have an upbeat, positive outlook and the humor is just a little darker than before, but it’s a good thing. It makes the Muppets more relevant to kids today while still retaining the classic Muppet feel that their parents know. Combining these factors is what has people clamoring to re-meet the Muppets.