Starring the vocal talents of:
Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving, Steve Irwin and Robin Williams

Director:
George Miller

Running Time:
108 mins

Out to buy on DVD 26/03/07

• An animated movie with a message
• The vocal cast are exceptionally good
• Brilliant animation
• Great mix of music and dancing making this the best animated musical in years

• Musicals are not for everyone
• Another talking animals movie

 

"What are your feet doing son?"

Every penguin is born with a heart song inside of them. When they discover what it is, they share it with the rest of the colony, bringing them into harmony as they face the harsh winters of Antarctica. Memphis (Jackman) and Norma Jean's (Kidman) chick Mumble is a little different however because he cannot sing but he can dance. As he grows up, Mumble's (Wood) voice gets worse but his dancing feet just get better and better, distancing him from the rest of the colony. When he is blamed for the shortages of fish and the worst winter for many years, Mumble sets out to discover the real reason why the fish have disappeared.

Animated movies involving cute and cuddly animals are becoming ten a penny at the box office but can a film about a dancing penguin stand out from the crowd?

In 2006 alone we have had 'Open Season', 'Over the Hedge', 'Flushed Away', 'The Ant Bully', 'Chicken Little' and 'Ice Age: The Melt Down' all featuring talking creatures and if you throw in talking automobiles in 'Cars', you have a genre that is becoming filled with characters that are bound to end up as toys and video games. This is becoming the trend for computer generated movies but 'Happy Feet' adds something new to the mix.

There was a time when Disney ruled the animation roost and every year their latest feature length animated movie would be hailed as a classic. What they all had in common was music. These were in essence, the replacement for the live action musicals that had enthralled audiences for decades until the 1970s. Seeing animated characters sing and dance became common place but as we headed into the late 90s audiences started to drift away, after Pixar launched the more story and character driven 'Toy Story'. This heralded the death of traditional 2D animation and started the CG revolution. With 'Happy Feet' we come full circle as director George Miller reintroduces the musical element but keeps the character development and storytelling that audiences have come to love.

The story of Mumble is one of music and dance. The emperor penguins of the Antarctic have always been in harmony and the penguin god has always blessed them with a plentiful supply of fish and a spirit that keeps them safe through the bleak Antarctic winter. Each penguin has their own heart song, a song that makes them different from the crowd and will help them find love. Mumble is different because he cannot sing. What he can do however is dance. This alienates him from the rest of the colony, as the elders blame him for the dwindling fish stocks in the seas. So Mumble sets out to discover why, making some new friends and enemies along the way.

While the story may sound simple enough, it has underlying messages that will hit home to both the younger and the adults accompanying them. The film has themes of tolerance, acceptance and friendship but it is the environment message that really hits home. Director George Miller and his creative team cleverly use the penguins to point out the plight that we are facing if we don't take action now and hopefully this message will ring true for a few people and the politicians that can make a difference.

The vocal cast are exceptionally with each of them giving a performance and not just a screen version of themselves. Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman don their best American accents as Memphis and Norma-Jean, with Jackman sounding uncannily like Elvis. Brittany Murphy proves what a talented singer she really is as the object of Mumble's affections, Gloria. Elijah Wood is good as the tap dancing Mumble, but he is probably the only cast member that actually sounds like himself. There is also a standout cameo performance from the late, great Steve Irwin, as elephant seal Kev. It is Robin Williams that steals the show however. Playing two different parts, Ramón and the all-powerful Lovelace, the rock hopper penguin who has communicated with the mystic beings, Williams really has fun with his characterisations and, of course, provides most of the laughs.

The movie also sets new standards when it comes to computer-generated animation. The backdrops are photorealistic and the character designs, while still looking computer animated, are very realistic. The movement is also first rate, utilising motion capture to allow Mumble to dance the light fantastic. This is now the standard for all other computer-animated movies to try and emulate.

'Happy Feet' is an exceptional family film. With outstanding animation, real vocal performances from the brilliant cast and a story and message that will amuse you and get you thinking at the same time, this is bound to be a family favourite for many years to come.