Wished it had stuck with ONE agenda

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2007)

IN my summary,when I say "agenda",I'm not just speaking in political terms(though that does apply),I'm talking about agenda in the very "theatrical" sense: in other words,agenda as in what the plot wants to do,where it wants to go,how it wants to go about it and at what speed it will get there. In those regards,this movie,while quite charming and technologically eye-popping,seems to have too much ambition that and a half.
The ordinary origins of an Emperor Penguin named Mumble(voiced as an adult by Elijah Wood)wouldn't seem to be a harbinger for his uniqueness. It seems that he cannot do what most of his species can of,namely sing "Heart Songs" to attract a mate. He can,however,dance,very well in face. It's the polar(no pun intended)opposite of a stat-kept secret that Mumble's talent makes him an oddity and a pariah,and he ends up becoming an outcast,finding solace with a group of smaller penguins(two of whom,including their mystical leader,are voiced by Robin Williams,who appears to be everything lately) on a neighboring ice floe. Away from his own kind,he encounters various dangers as well(starving carnivorous terns,a fearsome leopard seal come to mind),and along the way discovers that a fish problem(i.e.shortage)and the question of aliens/extraterrestrials(which,of course,are actually humans to these species on this corner of the world).
With added voice support of Brittany Murphy(probably the best here,as Mumble's would-be love Gloria),Hugh JAckman(as Mumble's father,Memphis),Nicole KIdman(unrecognizable as Mumble's mother Norma Jean),Carlos Alozraqui,Elizabeth DAily(As the baby Mumble),Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia among others,this movie is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. The message--or rather,messages--here are thus:tolerance of differences is good,superstition/blind faith is no substitute for scientific knowledge,bravery to be individuality yields the best rewards,and human usage of the oceans(in this case,over-fishing)threatens to endanger those who need its resources.
Co-dir4ected by George Miller and co-written and co-directed by Warren Coleman,this movie has BIG ambitions and I think that's what hurt it. If it was MERELY a story about a penguin struggling to find his identity and purpose,that would be enough. If this film wanted to be PURELY an environmental message film that would be fine(though maybe a little less marketable to greater audiences.Maybe not),too.But to make this film as broadly "message"-based(yet,always marketable as possible,don't forget!),I feel like HAppy Feet turns itself into a polarizing movie when it really shouldn't be. As for my personal opinion,it's pretty basic:I overall enjoyed it,but had reservations. I know(from reading many previous reviews)that I am not alone.