As you may have heard me say before, I take on reviews for “family” films mostly so that I can spend some quality time with my boys and enjoy our love of film. I had originally planned to bring along my youngest, Ralphie, 10, but he was otherwise occupied. In the end I took my 14 year old Joshua. Joshua has recently gotten to that age where I guess, he feels a little too old for animated family films. But I thought to myself “hey, he loved the first Happy Feet, he has to at least like this one“. So off we went with him complaining all the way that a sequel was not necessary for Happy Feet and it could not be good. The following is a quote from Joshua himself :

“I went into this movie with a negative attitude because I didn’t think that a sequel was quite necessary. My mood was changed as soon as the movie started. The music as always blew me away. The use of vibrant color in a world of white was a work of art. I did not expect there to be much of a story from what I believed to be a one shot kind of movie, but those little penguins can show off more emotion and moral character in the face of adversity than any human being“. That coming from a jaded 14 year old says volumes. 

Our buddy Mumble is back but this time he has a family. Gloria has her work cut out for her with her two boys, Mumble and they’re son Eric. Just as Mumble could not sing and was so unsure of himself, little Eric has yet to find his reason to dance and what his place is in the emperor penguin world they live in. Their world feels ideal but slowly global warming threatens it. Elijah Woods is back as the sweet beloved Mumble trying to be the best dad to a little boy that isn’t exactly his biggest fan. Gloria is perfectly voiced by Pink, strong and confident in her role as mother not only to her own son but as caregiver to the rest of the chicks when they find themselves in a difficult situation. As Joshua said, the music and voices were out of this world. So many talented people lent their voices to this sweet and relevant film. Such as Robin Williams as the lovelorn Ramon and the “preach it to me brother” Lovelace. No one else could voice these two guys so perfectly. Hank Azaria as the mighty Sven finds himself as little “Eeric‘s” hero. I can’t help it, Sven reminds me a bit of “Claude” in Along Came Polly (a bit of a lothario). Common’s voice is unmistakable as Seymour, little Atticus’ dad. 

Through out the film there is a quirky little side story about Bill the Krill and Will the Krill. Going against the tide, evolving and making their way away from the swarm. The voices are unmistakable, Brad Pitt as Will and Matt Damon as Bill. Lets just say little Will has some huge aspirations. Mom and Dad, as Joshua finally stated, “that was soooo worth it!”. Not only is it a lovely piece of animation and the music is hot, but there is a very relevant story about what can happen and to some extent is happening due to global warming. You can take your kids to this film to enjoy the movie but also use it as an opportunity to discuss our responsibility to take care of mother earth not just for this generation but for future generations. A great family film with an important message for all.