majestic animation

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2006)

Emporer penguins have become a hot topic. Documentary March of the Penguins captured audiences with awe inducing beauty, (if not a very insightful or impressive documentary overall), and documentaries about these majestic animals have allured us on television. Long in the making, Happy Feet also places us in the habitats of the Emporer Penguins. Since Mumble hatched from his egg, he compulsively tap dances to his heart contents. Shunned by everyone, including his father Memphise, the Emporer Penguin sings to find their mate, yet Mumble is afflicted being unable to sing.
Right from the get go, Happy Feet is like no other animated film. Director George Miller has created a computer animated film of grand cinematic proportions. The sheer beauty and majestic scale of the animations is overwhelming. Pixar has constantly raised the bar of computer animation higher and higher, Happy Feet firmly plants the bar higher and a triumph of Australian animation. The meticulous detail of every penguin and harsh snow covered South Pole are unbelievably captivating; it's amazing a white covered land can draw you in so much.
The writing and story of Happy Feet, along with the animation, makes this film even more a stand out. George Miller along with Judy Morris, John Collee and Warren Coleman, have written a script that this tongue in cheek, heart warming and poignant. Along with the usual story arcs of acceptance, love, family and friendship, there is a hard hitting sub text of humanities impact on the environment. This is woven in subtly, from the declining food supply of the penguins and Mumbles determination to discovering why. This message though thuds at the very end; when humanities realises what they're doing is harmful, turning very didactic and losing some of it's impact and poignancy.
Happy Feet also injects one of the most guilty pleasures of all cinema; the musical. From the opening Prince number and highly infectious tap dancing and singing, makes this one delightfully, guilty pleasure. The voice cast is spot on and perfectly casted. Elijah Wood captures that innocence in Mumble. Hugh Jackman brings a believable southern accent to Memphis and disappointment towards his son. Nicole Kidman mixes care free and strong willed in Norma Jean. Brittany Murphy matches Gloria perfectly. Robin Williams brings his over the top antics for both Ramón and Guru Lovelace, delivering the best laughs. While there is a strong American voice talent, complimenting the Australian animation along with Kidman and Jackman with the voice talent; Hugo Weaving, Magda Szubanski, Anthony LaPaglia and the late Steve Irwin.
Superb animation, wonderful and poignant story and indulgent singing and tap dancing, Happy Feet is one exuberant film to behold.