Funny, moral, bright, cheery, thrilling and brilliantly created...Happy Feet scores!!

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2006)

Now I don't quite think Happy Feet is the feat of animation that some other Pixar or Disney classic films have been but nonetheless for it's time and place it is a wonderful kids movie. I think it loses some of it's points because it doesn't necessarily try to prove itself to the wide demographic like many other animated stories do as of late but even still kids and adults of all ages can enjoy Happy Feet on a different level. Happy Feet is almost heavy laden with it's moralistic message of acceptance, being different and those you love and there is NOTHING wrong with that. The characters are adorable and enjoyable and the remade classic Penguin tunes from classic rock to modern day gangster rap is deliciously funny and different and I might also mention that Happy Feet just screams Broadway show mark my words!! Veteran but sparse director George Miller takes the helm and does a remarkable job with animation and mixing a few small scenes of live action to create this vivid and thrilling animated ride. I would have loved to have seen Happy Feet in an IMAX because there is some truly stunning moments.
Elijah Wood is the voice of the lead non-singing but tap dancing penguin Mumble. His timid and shy voice is perfect Mumble and suits him very well. Mumble's character is a small package but a big hero waiting to escape and loves and accepts everyone even when they don't do the same for him. Brittany Murphy is Gloria, Mumble's childhood sweetheart who loves him unconditionally but they hide their feelings for each other. Murphy's recognizable animated style (King Of The Hill, Good Boy!) adds some experience and great talent to the character and to the story line. Hugh Jackman is also excellent as the Elvis singing Dad who is devastated to learn his neglect might have caused his son some damage being unable to sing. Jackman's voice is almost unrecognizable with this southern drawl but he does a great job. Nicole Kidman is the voice of Mumble's mother and I'm sure it has nothing to with her performance but the character is quite small and timid and barely has anything of any significance to say. She's almost barely a supporting character. Robin Williams as he so often does completely steals the show as both Penguin Prophet Lovelace and the swinging Mexican sounding party animal Ramone. His crazy antics always tend to steal the scene and he gets some great lines too.
Happy Feet has some scenes of true awe where your mouth will fall open at the glorious animation or thrilling action scenes and most of the music scenes are downright hilarious and touching. The characters are cute and the moral is as well and that is only my shortcoming. That's not to say I have ANYTHING against a strong moral message or cute characters but I am reviewing it from the perspective of an adult and as such I found it a little too cute and the characters for the most part were a little on the empty side. Negatives aside Happy Feet is brilliant and well worth seeing for all of it's positives which is plenty!! Go see it and take little ones. 8.5/10