Happy Feet (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

CRITICAL CONSENSUS




Visually dazzling, with a thoughtful storyline and catchy musical numbers, Happy Feet marks a successful animated debut from the makers of Babe.




SYNOPSIS


In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing-which is unfortunate for Mumble (ELIJAH WOOD), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune...tap dancing.

Though Mumble's mom, Norma Jean (NICOLE KIDMAN), thinks this little habit is cute, his dad, Memphis (HUGH JACKMAN), says "it just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love.

As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria (BRITTANY MURPHY), happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but she struggles with his strange "hippity-hoppity" ways.

Mumble is just too different-especially for Noah the Elder (HUGO WEAVING), the stern leader of Emperor Land, who ultimately casts him out of the community.

Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets a posse of decidedly un-Emperor-like penguins-the Adelie Amigos. Led by Ramon (ROBIN WILLIAMS), the Adelies instantly embrace Mumble's cool dance moves and invite him to party with them.

In Adelie Land, Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru (also voiced by ROBIN WILLIAMS), a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life's questions for the price of a pebble.

Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller production, in association with Animal Logic Film. A George Miller film, "Happy Feet" features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia.

The film also features the tap dancing of Savion Glover. "Happy Feet" is directed by George Miller, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman. The film is produced by Doug Mitchell, George Miller and Bill Miller, with Zareh Nalbandian, Graham Burke, Dana Goldberg, and Bruce Berman executive producing. The music is composed by John Powell, and the soundtrack also includes songs performed by Prince, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia Barrino, Gia Farrell, Chrissie Hynde, Patti LaBelle, k.d. lang, Jason Mraz, and Pink.

"Happy Feet" will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.



MOVIE MISTAKES


Mistake #1
Throughout the movie, the patting of the feet is out of time to the feet themselves.

Mistake #2
When Mumble is still a baby, his "bowtie" does not appear until Boss Skua has him pinned down under his foot. Then shortly after, it disappears again, only to reappear when Mumble falls into the crack in the ice.

Mistake #3
When Mumble is talking to Boss Skua and he says his line "They could have eated you", his "bowtie" is visible. When the shot goes back to show Mumble again (when he's asking Boss Skua if he can appeal to his better nature) the "bowtie" is gone.

Mistake #4
Several times throughout the movie Mumble can plainly be heard gasping underwater - definitely breathing, not talking - although this wou

If someone would have told me that a movie about a dancing penguin would be box-office gold, I would have laughed in their face.

Of course, I also laughed when people told me about buying bottled water in the 80s, cars that ran on electricity and George W. Bush would be re-elected.

Happy Feet is a sweet family movie that centres around penguin namd Mumble. Now, in this world, all penguins sing and when they find their 'heart song', they are ready to face the world. Unfortuantely, when Mumble sings, is sounds about as charming as someone wailing on a sack of cats. Our hero does have one special talent and that is his ability to dance up a storm. However, this talent has a value of zero in penguin society. Feel depressed for his lack of acceptance, Mumble winds up on a whirlwind adventure that eventually leads to his redemption.

I really tried to like this movie. The first hour was pretty solid. Filled with catchy tunes and good dialogue, it kept my attention. It also felt a lot like I was watching an animated version of "March of the Penguins". However, the second half the film seems a little week and the "I can't sing" thing was getting a little tired for myself. Only one of my three daughters would sit through it (The 9 year old). The four year old wanted to leave half way through.

On the plus, the animation is crisp and sharp. The sound is well done and I think it is one of the few family movies that I can honestly say has a little something for everyone. If your little ones can sit through a two hour showing, then this is the film for you.

Happy Feet is a cute fun film the entire family can enjoy. The movie is full of humor that will be appreciated by old and young alike while the music will appeal to audiences of all ages. The animation here is top notch and the voice overs are some of the best in the business featuring talent from Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, and Nicole Kidman. The movie even won an Academy Award for best animated film. The only reason I don't give the film a perfect rating is because there is quite a bit of propaganda towards the end concerning environmental protection and global warming which tends to damper the easy going mood that prevails for most of the movie. All things in consideration, Happy Feet should be an easy choice is you or your family, especially if you enjoy the animated genre.

This movie is just FANTASTIC. All round family fun for all ages, even our 20 month old sat and watched. The music and songs in this movie are great, and one surprise for us was Brittany Murphy who does the voice of Gloria, had no clue the girl could sing!!!

The movie centers around Mumble, a penguin who has no voice but the talent of dancing. He goes on a qwest to fine out what has happened to the fish, and although he can’t sing the song he sings with his feet is a far more powerful voice.

This is certainly a movie to add to the DVD collection.

This has great music and keeps you dancing throughout.
Happy Feet is a penguin who unlike his pack can't sing. He can dance.
He finds a very funny Hispanic group that dances and he tries to win his girls heart.
The elders are upset about not having enough fish to eat and blame Happy Feet. He goes out into the world to find out where the fish have gone.
He goes on a world-wide adventure until he can return to his pack. Lots happens.
This is great fun for all ages. It has a great message both in being different is not bad and cleaning up the environment.
You will love Mumble.
A must see and a must buy!