A Masterpiece of Artistry

Rating: 8/10 (10 August 2007)

We have to admire the amount of detailed research and preparation that goes into a magical piece of film work like this. No doubt the MARCH OF THE PEGUINS was a good starting point on which to build ideas. Penguin characters need names. They need voices. They have to be distinguishable from each other. There has to be a story with perhaps a message or two. Various emotions to make us laugh and cry. There has to be an interesting setting. Music and songs to delight us. Adventure and action.
This film has it all. We salute the team of artists who made it all possible.
Other reviewers have adequately described the story. Bits and pieces of well-known songs have been woven into a simple love story in which Mumble could not express himself in the usual way (through song) but had the gift of nimble feet which tapped out his feelings in a kind of Morse code which finally infected everyone even the intruding "aliens".
We learn a lot from this film quite apart from the life cycle of the penguin. We learn that everyone is not the same. People have different feelings. We must respect the feelings and opinions of others. Mumble was late in hatching from the egg. His Pa did have an accident with the egg; and the penguin colony was quick to remind him. The one thing they forgot was that everyone is different. We all have different talents.
Due credit must be given to the actors who gave their voices to the penguins. They seemed just right. Watch out for the elephant seals who seem to be in a most pessimistic mood when Mumble decides to seek out the "aliens" who are stealing their fish. There is a real change in mood here as every doubt is raised about Mumble's plan to negotiate.
This film won many Awards including an Academy Award. Don't miss it. It's a real winner.