A lot of people grew up with the Muppets. I was not one of them. To give  you a taste of my limited familiarity with the popular children’s show: only recently did I realize that “muppets” rhymes with “puppets.” This realization was so dramatic for me I even tweeted it, so my six followers probably hate me now. Take it as you will, but as a Muppets neophyte, I can tell you that the recent update of the franchise is one of the greatest family movies I’ve ever seen, an energetic and smart package with impressive cameos and a deft sense of humor.

Many may be taken aback to discover that the film is written by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, the couple behind the ultra-raunchy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Both are firmly entrenched in the Judd Apatow camp, but they prove adept at covering up their dirty minds when the kids are around. Despite two instances of group therapy in the runtime (if you include the ‘Toy Story’ short that opens it), their approach isn’t dark or cynical, but celebratory. It’s clearly a passion project for both of them, and their reputation only makes the Muppets’ trademark ironic wink-winking more convincing for knowing adults: every convention the movie employs comes with a self-aware gag. These can be pretty lame at first, but quickly steamroll into unexpected bellyshakers. Example: Chris Cooper raps.

The film’s plot concerns a pair of brothers, Gary and Walter, played by Segel and…a Muppet. Additionally, Segel’s affable friendly-giant is countered by a charming turn by Amy Adams as his longtime girlfriend, Mary. She’s in familiar territory here – her whole persona is pure-hearted half-Muppet–so she’s as adorable as you’d expect. Because Waker isn’t human, he’s felt out of place his whole life until he discovers the wonders of the Muppets franchise. A trip to the disheveled Muppets studio reveals that an evil oil magnate (played with fantastic pseudo-menace by Chris Cooper) is planning to demolish the studio for the oil underneath, so the trio sets out on a quest to reunite the old gang for a fundraising telethon to save the Muppets’ “home”.

Each scene has at least one instance of comedic genius. For my money, the hairy and temperamental Animal gets the most laughs; his story arc is where Segel and Stoller let their dirty minds loose the most. Although the relationship drama between Gary and Mary touches the heart, it’s Walter’s development from insecure fan to essential member of the Muppets crew that will really bring a tear to your eye.

Even if you’re a non-fan like me, by the end of Segel and Stoller’s labor of love, you’ll be convinced you’ve witnessed the crowning moment of an important legacy. “The Muppets” may not have the electronic doodads of “Arthur Christmas” or those chipmunk movies, but the simplicity of hands manipulating stuffed animals is just as engaging and expressive. This should be on everyone’s list for the holiday season.