Sorry - not so impressed

Rating: 5/10 (8 July 2007)

Whilst I enjoyed this film at one level, I was disappointed and dissatisfied that the premise didn't gel. Fortunately for the makers of the film 3d animations are enjoyed by kids who can swallow films which have a rickety base and provide a poor foundation for the whole film. The dance sequences were great but then again, getting animated figures to synchronize in perfect time to music is no great feat unlike in the real world. The chase scenes and those which provided dazzling camera work cannot really be applauded too loudly as this is by now de facto standard in animations where anything is possible. If these elements weren't in place you would be left with a poor film with a shaky plot. I couldn't quite go with the idea of a penguin society where its members relied on song to establish a place in their society. I just couldn't buy into it. Having failed to accept that, the film failed for me as this was the basis for Mambo's adventure. I would like to say nicer things about it as on one level I enjoyed it, whilst on the other I was nagged continually that something at the start hadn't worked for me and that the rest of the film was now suffering.