Long, complicated 'Happy Feet Two' retains some cuteness
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Yes, there can be too much of a good thing.
Just ask any adult who overindulged at an all-you-can-eat buffet or any kid who polished off his Halloween candy in record time.
"Happy Feet Two" piles on the characters, celebrity voices (Brad Pitt! Matt Damon!) and environmental messages, making its story unnecessarily complicated and, at 99 minutes, too long by about 10 minutes. The animation, particularly in 3-D, is exceptional although it's funny how children at a preview marveled at the simple sight of bubbles appearing to float off the screen as the closing credits scrolled.
It's been five years since "Happy Feet" tapped its way into the hearts of moviegoers and Oscar voters. It won the 2006 Academy Award for best animated feature, edging out "Cars" and "Monster House."
- Starring: Voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon.
- Rating: PG for some rude humor and mild peril.
The first movie, directed by George Miller, who does similar duty here, was about Mumble (voice of Elijah Wood), an Emperor Penguin hatchling who couldn't sing. That meant he might not be able to find a penguin mate, but it turned out he could dance like hoofer extraordinaire Savion Glover.
Mumble is now mate to Gloria (pop star Pink, replacing the late Brittany Murphy) and dad to little fluffy blue-eyed penguin Erik. who did not inherit his father's fancy footwork. Mumble assures Erik that no one will laugh at him if he tries to feel the beat, but his moves prove mortifying.
He slinks off with a couple of young pals as the movie sprouts other story lines, including ones about a pair of krill named Will and Bill who languish at the bottom of the food chain; an elephant seal that appears to be doomed; the return of Adelie penguin Ramon (Robin Williams) and his bid for female attention; and Sven (Hank Azaria), a penguin who seems to defy the laws of nature and ... fly.
First Published November 18, 2011 12:00 am
