Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Happy Feet
2006

Director: George Miller
Cast: Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman

This computer animation about emperor penguins goes into its first bland song and dance number before the titles are over. Then it introduces the story and the characters without raising a smile; young Mumble is a skillful dancer but a terrible singer, which makes him an outcast in his community. The first impression is definitely not very good, but much worse is yet to come. A few gratuitous and suprisingly scary action scenes later we reach the ecological finale, which is too naive, preachy and stupid to put into words. The animation work looks stunning, but isn't that the benchmark nowadays?