Radio Lady Reviews: "Happy Feet" (Opens November 17, 2006)

[Radio_Lady]

Tap dancing captivates me, particularly when there are lots of dancing feet. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to see a Broadway revival of the show “42nd Street”. The curtain went up -- revealing beautifully costumed dancers tapping perfectly in unison and filling the large stage from right to left and from front to back. It was an unforgettable treat. I remember well the stage-wide tap dancing in the finale of “A Chorus Line" -- similarly fantastic and unforgettable. I’ve never thought of this as being a collection of “happy feet”, although such talented performing always appears to be effortlessly delivered.

Well, the latest animated flick on the scene, “Happy Feet”, demonstrates once again the captivating nature of many feet tapping at the same time, even if the dancers happen to be penguins! The story of “Happy Feet” is simple but enjoyable. The music and dance are the best aspects of the movie. The universal moral that the movie embodies is delivered with a light touch, which is appropriate. This is meant to be a fun movie for children and adults and it is.

As the film opens, the audience is greeted to a view of many hundreds – if not thousands of Emperor Penguins. They are animated but the early scenes especially are very reminiscent of the actual footage presented in 2005 documentary “March of the Penguins.” The tale concerns a damaged egg. The father penguin, named Memphis and the voice of Hugh Jackman, is left with the egg riding on his feet and warmed by his underbelly, while the mother, whose name is Norma Jean, and voiced by Nicole Kidman, goes off with the other mothers to get the distant food.

Then, the unthinkable happens. Dad Memphis lets the egg roll away for only a few seconds but, in that icy place, the forming baby could be destroyed. Memphis doesn’t tell anyone about this and his worst fears are not realized when Mumble, voiced by Elijah Wood, pecks out…feet first and late but apparently OK…except…his singing is not up to the usual abilities of his ilk and is really awful. However he exhibits a new ability, happy tap-dancing feet, that none of the other penguins are familiar with.

So, Mumble is different and not readily accepted. However, he gets a chance to show his mettle in dealing with a threat to the survival of the penguins and so on. It’s a nice little movie with great CGI effects. Robin Williams provides the voice of three different characters and they are very funny. In a season when productions of “A Chorus Line” and “42nd Street” aren’t available near here, creatively presented penguins can fill the bill.
Take the kids and have a happy time seeing “Happy Feet.”

I’m rating it a “B+” on Ellen’s Entertainment Report Card.

[trof]

1. 4 year old grandson can't wait.

And I'm still nuts about Fred & Ginger.
Thanks for the review.

[AlCzervik]

2. so glad you liked, i'm going to see it this weekend and i was a little worried

i'd be hating it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. HOORAY!

Radio_Lady's back, why not!

[SeattleGirl]

4. Oh, I want to see this movie!

Thanks for the review, R_L.

[blondeatlast]

5. My 9 year old son adores penguins and can't wait to see this.

Good to know it's worth my time, too.

Thanks; I always appreciate your reviews.

You should post them on Rotten Tomatoes; my library uses it as our frontline source for choosing AV materials.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. My 8 year old wants to take me to see it for my birthday

I'm so glad it's good! :hi:

[Pithlet]

7. Sounds cute.

I can't wait to see it. Thanks for posting, Radio_Lady! :hi:

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. I thought you were leaving.

:shrug:

[Karenca]

9. Well,

she did say she was leaving,
yet at the same she said she will still be posting her movie reviews on DU.

[Karenca]

11. "But I plan to just post and skip away"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=5838489

[wildhorses]

10. thanks for the review, R_L. will take my 7 and 10 yo nephews to

see it saturday :hi:

[driver8]

12. I work at Warner Bros. and have seen this movie 5 or 6 times...

If you don't think "Mumble" the little penguin is the cutest thing in the world...there is no hope for you.

My daughter can't wait for this movie, either. She'll say, "Daddy, tell me about Mumble again!"

Also -- the little penguins he makes friends with are hilarious!!!

[Radio_Lady]

13. Thanks for all the positive comments here and in other threads.

I do appreciate all of you who read these reviews and offer your various opinions.

Wishing you the very best for the coming holiday season,

Radio_Lady/Ellen

[Radio_Lady]

14. Anyone get to see this today -- or planning for tomorrow?

Thanks for your comments.