Has a certain weird charm all its own

Rating: 7/10 (14 August 2010)

Apparently, Emperor penguins select their mates via the medium of pop songs so, when young Mumble turns out to be tone deaf, he becomes an outcast. However he is also a dancing fool, and this not only ties him up with a group of latina Adelie penguins, it is also instrumental in repairing a break in the food chain (don't ask). If penguins singing pop songs and taking part in mass - and I do mean mass - dance routines is your thing, then you are going to love this one.
I mean, it's barking mad, isn't it? But CGI features have given us equally barking mad stories of robot romance, and balloon powered houses, so I suppose dancing penguins night be regarded as only mildly eccentric by comparison.
And, let's be fair, it is extremely well done - it looks fabulous, the music is all great, the voice talent does well (although Robin Williams is getting a bit too ubiquitous for my taste), the dancing is fun, and there;s a decent subtext about exclusion for simply being different.
Sometimes we need something that's barking mad, especially if it has something worthwhile to say, and a sense of charm to say it with.