A Fully Imagined Alternate Civilization

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2007)

The various components of human biology and behavior structure the way we interact with other people, find mates, view the environment, and organize societies. The brilliance of this movie is that it develops a comprehensively new civilization for another species based on different biological characteristics. Happy Feet is not some superficially "light" movie made to distract kids for an hour and a half. Like early groups of humans, these penguins battle harsh living conditions and the constant threat of death against a backdrop of religious superstition, social ostracism, physical disability, ingroup/outgroup conflict, sexual pressures, and the possibility of destruction by another species. Its depiction of Antarctic wildlife and climate are phenomenally biologically realistic, with of course some dramatic liberties taken. This is a complete movie that will satisfy anyone willing to think about human society through the critique of a dancing penguin movie. Which you should. Besides, the plot is great, the characters are excellent, the animation is beautiful, and the voice acting is perfect. Highly recommended.