Happy Feet

A cute cartoon clashes with what seems to be an angry environmentalist’s last hope of persecuting The Man in this computer-generated mishmash by director/co-writer George Miller. Initially, the film provides warmth and ear-to-ear smiles as an emperor penguin colony sings and dances to various contemporary hits from Queen to the Beach Boys. As tone-deaf Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood) desperately searches for his “heart song” and later releases his inner Savion Glover (who helped choreograph the fast footwork) as a musical alternative, the Warner Bros. production will captivate the entire audience. Energetic, fast-talking Mexican-accented penguins and an evangelical penguin on his mountain of pebbles contribute to the charm, thanks to Robin Williams’ vocal duties. Yet the third act, an in-your-face commentary on the inhumane nature of zoos and the fishing industry, is forced upon unsuspecting viewers. Because of the inappropriate ending, Happy Feet is a disappointing feat.