Happy Feet

2006 • 108 minutes

About this movie

Except musically challenged Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood--Lord of the Rings films). In frozen Antarctica, where penguins sing to woo a mate, Mumble's talent is dancing: When his fellow penguins start to croon, Mumble's feet want to move. Even worse, Gloria (voiced by Brittany Murphy), the object of Mumble's affection, only wants to hear a song from Mumble's heart. But when encroaching fishermen threaten the penguins, the colony is saved by Mumble's valor, and Gloria's heart is won by his dancing, Happy Feet. Directed by George Miller (Babe), choreographed by Tony winner Savion Glover and featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams and crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.

Ratings and reviews

"Happy feet" does for animation what "March of the Penguins" did for live-action and documentaries. This is such a bewitching animated movie that offers fantastic script writing and striking direction by George Miller to deliver vigorous entertainment with laugh-out-loud funny moments that are so skillfully made, they are witty. The even film stresses inspiring messages about using your talents for the greater good, showing integrity, embracing your own uniqueness, and about protecting the environment from declining populations and habitat destruction. Although I do wish that they would improve on the animal facts, like the elephant seal's diet (elephant seals eat fish and squid), and what family is the orca a member of (orcas are dolphins). The execution of it's exuberant entertainment and it's compelling messages worked through dynamic storytelling; it went from a rich musical love story about being different to slowly twisting the plot into a compelling epic adventure that involves aliens (humans), all the way up to an uplifting latter. The animation is wonderful with vivid colors, eye-catching detail, and cute faces on the characters. The animation is also a dynamic visual feast with some gorgeous joyous visual art from the grandiose sense of scale, to the brilliant choreography of the dancing penguins, to the exhilarating action sequences that feel like an immersive roller coaster, and the motion capture on the humans provide the lively movements for the characters. Let's not forget the stunning backgrounds; they look so lifelike. The legendary all-star cast of actors are a superb choice with all of their exceptional voice acting alongside their powerhouse singing; Elijah Wood is emotionally involving as Mumble; he is a valiant and smart lad who has his way with his own hyperactive feet that really gets into the beat. Memphis (Hugh Jackman) is Mumble's father who has strong confidence like his son Mumble, but he also has a lot of somberness due to his son's uniqueness. Brittany Murphy was gorgeous as Gloria with so much passion to her voice delivery. Noah the elder (Hugo Weaving) is the main antagonist, and he is one heck of a big jerk who strongly forbids mumble for his dancing and mumble himself. Then, there's Robin Williams with his incredible voice range as he voices Ramon (one of the Adelie penguins), Lovelace (a rockhopper penguin), and he is the narrator himself with his "Lovelace" voice. The Amigos are a hilarious group of silly Adelie penguins. Boss Skua (Anthony LaPaglia) is a brute who is hungry for penguin chicks (in this case, Mumble as a chick). Roger Ross did a great job as the fierce and hungry leopard seal with a low-bass voice that sounds guttural. Heck, even Steve Irwin is part of the cast, and he plays one of the Southern elephant seals. The soundtrack is on par with the animation; The head-bopping soundtrack contains a colorful variety of music genres to fit the culture and emotion of the film, like Funk, Rock, R&B, Disco, and Latin American music (mostly from the Adelie penguins). And there is the invigorating score by John Powell. To conclude: with dazzling animation (along with the music), dynamic entertainment, and strong pleasing messages, Happy Feet is a compelling and enchanting animated treat that will satisfy and warm the hearts of the whole family (suitable for ages eight and up). 4.5/5 Highly Recommended!

Watched this movie when it came out and couldn't stop watching it I love the songs in the movie especially in the beginning with part of the Elvis Presley song heartbreak hotel I know this song because I listen to old music and new music...... I watched this at again today and I noticed that some of the scenes are and I quote "sexual" Just saying when mumble and Gloria was sliding on the ice when they got out of the waste it looked varies innapropreat

The most heart-warming, hilarious, charming film that I've watched. I love the intricate story-building that went into this, the songs are wonderful, and the characters are awesome. There are definitely some adult themes that I did not catch when I was younger. most valuable are the lessons about tolerance, about love, about protecting our planet, about strength and friendship. This was 100% one of my top favorite movies to watch, it doesn't hurt that the animation is beautiful to see too and the cute little penguins are just wonderful to watch!