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Digitally Obsessed
"I heard an animal once do that, but then they rolled him over, he was dead."
- Ramon, describing Mumble's singing voice (Robin Williams)
Review By: Mark Zimmer
Published: March 26, 2007
Stars: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman
Other Stars: Hugo Weaving, Anthony LaPaglia, Magda Szubanski, Steve Irwin, Chrissie Hynde
Director: George Miller
Manufacturer:
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild peril and rude humor
Run Time: 01h:48m:47s
Release Date: March 27, 2007
Genre: animation
DVD ReviewDirector George Miller first made his name with antisocial apocalyptic visions such as the Mad Max movies, then surprised everyone with the shift to kids' movies by producing Babe and directing the sequel Babe: Pig in the City.
Miller introduced a fair amount of darkness to that picture, and while
he continues in the kids' genre with this charming penguin musical, it
too contains dark elements that may be too much for younger children.
The success of March of the Penguins
probably made them the inevitable subjects of a cartoon feature, and
this (almost) entirely CGI picture makes good use of the birds'
charming and awkward characteristics. The story centers on Mumble
(Elijah Wood), an unusual Emperor Penguin who is unable to sing, and
thus unable to generate the Heartsong that will allow him to mate and
be a happy member of the penguin community. Instead, he is compelled to
tap dance, which just does not fit in with the penguin model of
society. Driven away by the girl penguin he loves, Gloria (Brittany
Murphy) as well has his parents Norma Jean (Nicole Kidman) and Memphis
(Hugh Jackman) and aged leader Noah the Elder (Hugo Weaving), he meets
up with a group of miniature Adelies, led by the fast-talking Ramon
(the fast-talking Robin Williams). Not only does Mumble find acceptance
among the Adelies, but he learns some vital clues to the alien
abductors who seem to be depopulating the seas of fish.
Part
movie musical, part cautionary environmental tale and part plea for
understanding of differences, the script really tries to take on a bit
too much to be entirely satisfying. As a result, the picture runs a bit
long to hold the attention of the less patient. Instead, there's an
awkward attempt to hold interest with a hyper-kinetic camera that
sweeps at dizzying speed, especially during the penguins' jet-powered
swimming sequences. That's not to say that Happy Feet
doesn't carry with it some important messages; it's just that there are
so many of them that it's almost as if they're struggling for primacy
before the environmental message wins out. Along the way there is
plenty of condemnation of xenophobia, racism, religious mania in the
face of facts, and failure to accept others due to their differences.
As mentioned above, Miller introduces plenty of darkness, especially
after Mumble is taken captive and placed in a zoo; I was half expecting
the movie to have a finale reminiscent of Brazil.
The movie has two things going for it: a great soundtrack and some
excellent characterizations. The soundtrack uses the old-style movie
musical technique of taking existing songs and stitching them into the
story; this works best in the first scene as Memphis and Norma Jean
perform their mating ritual and in the various Heartsongs that the
penguins offer up to each other. The characters are generally quite
appealing, though there are some odd choices. Modeling Mumble's parents
on Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe is kind of amusing as a concept,
but there isn't much done with that after the opening. Robin Williams'
pidgin Hispanic character will probably end up being one of those
horrifyingly embarrassing portrayals a few decades from now, something
like a minstrel show character would be today. Those extremes are
hardly necessary, since the less colorful characterizations (such as
Mumble, Gloria and Noah the Elder) are quite acceptable and make an
impression. But the show is stolen by Anthony LaPaglia's turn as a
bullying yet cowardly bird, pompous in his association with the alien
abductors.
It's an certainly attractive enough movie, with the penguins being
presented in a mildly stylized caricature that takes them just outside
the realm of reality. Differentiating penguin characters is obviously a
tough chore, but it's accomplished reasonably well here. Mumble is
easy, since he's treated as never quite having grown out of his
hatchling fuzz even in adulthood. Others are less successful; I had
trouble picking out Gloria in a crowd at times, even when she was
talking or worse, singing. There are a number of scenes of danger
including jumps from very tall heights that should not be imitated.
Rating for Style: B+
Rating for Substance: B
Image Transfer
| One | Two |
| Aspect Ratio |
2.40:1 - Widescreen |
2.40:1 - Widescreen |
| Original Aspect Ratio |
yes |
yes |
| Anamorphic |
no |
yes |
Image Transfer Review:
The HD transfer is, as one would expect for a CG film, extremely
attractive. The snow in particular looks very realistic, and the amount
of detail in the feathers of the birds (especially the fuzz of the
hatchlings) is first rate. The blues of sky and sea are often almost
overwhelming. It's a topnotch presentation, in the same territory as The Corpse Bride in HD.
The standard DVD anamorphic widescreen side also looks quite good,
athough a bit of ringing is visible against the sky at times; this
could be edge enhancement or a compression artifact. There's still
plenty of detail and bright, vivid color, but the feathers don't quite
pop off the screen to the same extent.
Image Transfer Grade: A
Audio Transfer
| Language | Remote Access |
Dolby Digital
+ |
English, French, Spanish |
yes |
Audio Transfer Review:
The HD DVD features DD+ versions of the English, French and Spanish
soundtracks, which are not hugely different from the standard DD 5.1
tracks on the DVD side. Both have plenty of bass and excellent range
and directionality. The difference is mainly audible in the TrueHD
track, which has a more open and expansive soundstage that really
lights up the music. But no one should be disappointed in any of these
excellent tracks.
Audio Transfer Grade: A+
Disc ExtrasAnimated menu with music
Scene Access with 28 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English, French, Spanish with remote access
1 Original Trailer(s)
5 Other Trailer(s) featuring Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Fred Claus, Imax: Deep Sea 3-D, The Nativity Story, Nancy Drew
2 Deleted Scenes
1 Featurette(s)
Packaging: Elite
1 Disc
2-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual
Extra Extras:
- Music videos
- Cartoon I Love to Singa
Extras Review:
The most interesting features are a pair of deleted scenes. The longest
is a tribute to the late Steve Irwin, who was originally retained to
play an albatross in this deleted scene, but finally wound up as an
elephant seal in the finished picture. There's also a 31-second "Happy
Feet Moment" that seems a little ill-tempered. Both of these scenes are
presented in HD, but other than the trailer none of the rest of the
features are in HD. The story of a bird who is not accepted by his
family for his odd behavior has its roots traceable to the Merrie
Melodie cartoon I Love to Singa (1936), featuring Owl Jolson (which got a new lease on life through its legendary use in the pilot and first episode of South Park). Alas, it's not in HD, but it's still nice to see this gem again.
Dance Like a Penguin (5m:21s) features dancer Savion Glover, who gives the viewer a few quick tap dancing lessons. A pair of music videos for Hit Me Up and The Song of the Heart
feature footage from the movie. The movie's trailer is on both sides,
but five additional trailers for upcoming Warner motion pictures are
found only on the standard side.
Extras Grade: B-
Final CommentsAn
overambitious movie that tries so hard that it falls a little short.
There's plenty of entertainment and action amidst the many messages,
though, and the transfer is beautiful. |
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