Dance of the Penguins
When Mumble was born it became very obvious to his father that he wasn't like other penguins as he kept on doing this flappy, tappy thing with his feet. But as Mumble starts to grow he discovers that is not the only thing which is different about him because unlike the others he can't sing, it's not that he doesn't want to it's that the really can't sing which is a problem when it comes to fitting in and his hopes of courting Gloria. Eventually Mumble has enough off being ostracized by the others and leaves the group to go on a quest with some other species of birds to learn out where all the fish have disappeared to.
As a movie reviewer I have a rating system and when I rate something a 6 it means that I enjoyed it, it was for the most well made but I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it again. That is how I feel about "Happy Feet" as whilst the animation work was impressive and it's often cute and amusing it didn't rock my world enough to give me that feeling that I had to watch it again. And a big reason why I felt that way is at 108 minutes it is too long and often feels drawn out in places with scenes whose only purpose is to serve the animators who were showing off their skills rather than telling the story.
Anyway story wise "Happy Feet" is sweet enough with one of those message movies as we have Mumble being the odd one out who feels ostracized because he is different as he dances rather than sings. It is perfect for the young audience which it is intended for although there are a couple of surprising moments of horror involving a hungry sea lion. And in many ways all of this is fine because it is original but then suddenly we get another storyline, that one about the fish and in truth the movie doesn't need it as it claws in an environmental message.
But in truth "Happy Feet" doesn't feel like it is ever really about the story but about the skills of the animators. Now it is impossible not to be impressed by the animators work as there is a stunning amount of detail on show as nature is comically recreated with playful and cute animated penguins none more so when we have Mumble as a fluffy bundle of fun. And the way it is animated to deliver a feel of a handheld camera floating around a scene is fantastic and in truth some of the best animated work you will ever see. But at times it all feels like the animation is more important than the story which is why we get those scenes which add nothing or very little to the narrative making it feel drawn out.
What this all boils down to is that "Happy Feet" is a cute and well produced animation but it lacks that something extra which makes you feel a need to watch it again.
