What did I miss?

Rating: 4/10 (16 April 2008)

Many people whose opinion I normally value said they loved this film. For me, boredom turned to loathing and I couldn't wait for it to finish. I even watched a second time to make sure I wasn't in the wrong mood the first time around.
I usually love family movies. I usually love animation. What did I miss?
What does the film have going for it? Stunning graphics.
What lets it down? A super-weak story line filled with cliché after mind-numbing cliché.
Ugly-ducking-style outcast, disapproving father figure, crusty old (strangely Skeksis-like) authoritarian figure, highly desirable female (way out of the "ugly duckling's" league) and comedy relief (with the penguin Cheech and Chong gang). And guess what? Humans are ruining the world and the little penguin can make a difference. Does he do it in a clever and interesting way? No. No. No.