The Banshee Screams for Happy Feet (and other such ramblings)

Rating: 10/10 (29 July 2007)

This is one of the most stirring films I've seen in a while, and its no shock that its George bloody Miller directing, writer and director of the Mad Max series, the Babe films, and Lorenzo's Oil. It also shouldn't come as a shock that this movie bares a lot of similarities to "The Road Warrior," either. But, we won't get into that here.
Like most of Miller's films, this is a story about the 'underdog hero;' and again, like most of his films, its not afraid to mince around issues of the time. Like Mad Max and the oil situation, this film confronts matters about overfishing without pause. And, by all rights, it should. It's not just a 'Greenpeace' matter, anymore. This is important, the world over.
The film's also one that takes its inspiration from many sources, some of the most noticeable being the Jesus/messiah story (don't believe what you've heard from most of the other 'this film is anti-Christian' reviewers. This film is essentially a Jesus/messiah parallel, right down to the Pharisee-like Elders and 'resurrection.') and 'Joseph Livingston Seagull,' among others. They're not 'ripped off,' though, so to speak, and this is good. I suppose you've all seen the film, so there ain't be no summary on this here review. I mean, come on. You can read a summary on any one of these other schmoes reviews! Cam'aaaan!
Some people are labeling this film "liberal propaganda." I'm not even gonna get in to that, as I still wanna keep my IQ where it is. But, this quote from the man himself will suffice: "Look," Miller says, dismissing low-brow criticism Happy Feet got as eco-propaganda, "any story worth its salt has to have more to it than meets the eye. I mean, it's got to have a lot going on in the subtext."
This is a heartfelt and moving film, and a giant step for c.g. films both technically and storytelling-wise. Miller's made another masterpiece, and that's really all I can say.