Movie Review: Happy Feet 2

3D seems to be the going trend nowadays, and while it may enhance one's experience in theaters one way or another, it certainly doesn't live up to my expectations. Truth be told, if I had a choice, I'd pick conventional screenings any day, but there are exemptions to the rule that give me delight and excitement whenever I don those big dark and tinted glasses. Happy Feet 2 fits that description, and it's a sequel to one of the most beautiful and heartwarming animated movies I saw a few years back. It's a film that comes just in time for Christmas season, but the question remains - does this sequel live up to the first, or has too much expectation from fans chilled its reputation down? I saw the film a couple of days back, so let's find out with this review. Special thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines, Ms. Sionee Lagman, and Mr. Jay Gonzales for the screening!

Movie: Happy Feet 2
Starring: Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Hugo Weaving
Release Date: November 18, 2011 (US), November 23, 2011 (RP)

As a follow up to 2006's Happy Feet, Happy Feet delivers that same kind of comedic song-dancing fun people adored in the original while adding new problems, both family-oriented and environmental, for the protagonists to overcome. Elijah Wood once again voices Mumble Happy Feet, the tap dancing penguin hero who is now father to a young and shy penguin named Erik (voiced by Ava Acres). As he tries to be a good dad to his son, Mumble's wife Gloria (now voiced by American singer Pink) tempers the male penguins in her life, and stay on as the voice of reason and comfort throughout the story. Also returning are Ramon and the prophet penguin Lovelace, who are again voiced by the talented Robin Williams, and each of them have grown bolder and wiser in the sequel. While Ramon looks for his preferred "mamacita" in the movie, Lovelace now preaches the good news and word of his newfound friend and savior Sven (Hank Azaria), a Puffin masquerading as a flying Penguin. This act inspires Erik a great deal, especially after the young penguin loses hope and confidence in his father. With family problems and a bigger threat looming over his own penguin community, Mumble must find a way to resolve everything and bring harmony back into his world.



Happy Feet 2 Trailer

For all intents and purposes, Happy Feet 2 is more or less the same product repackaged with a new story and mixed with more subplots one can possibly take in. That's either a good or bad thing depending on your outlook of stuff, and to be honest I enjoyed this movie only half as much as I hoped I would have. True, it's great to see old characters and familiar voices return (even Hugo Weaving reprised his role as the elder penguin), but the way the sequel told the story felt forced, and I didn't even sympathize with the new character Sven. Heck, even Brad Pitt and Matt Damon lend their voice talents as sideshow attractions Will and Bill, two Krills who suddenly decide to venture out of their herd and carve out a destiny for themselves. That subplot was funny, but it wasn't exactly necessary in the grander scheme of things. Everything else was pretty much filler, and while the kids may enjoy the funnies, from an adult standpoint it's totally unnecessary. Expectations for the movie all fell to Mumble and Ramon, and they outshone even Happy Feet's own boy Erik, who was pretty much a plot device than a new face sharing the spotlight.

Despite my little misgivings and preference for the original, I'd still give Happy Feet 2 a thumbs up for its fun factor and kid friendly atmosphere. I'm sure those who see this in theaters will be delighted by the smooth CG graphics it has to offer, and if 3D is your things, it's been converted nicely to fit that format as well. Families looking for a genuine Christmas film to see, look no further. It's still currently showing in cinemas now, so do catch it if you decide to do so.

Rating - 4/5

An Iron Fist Package: A Review of Tekken Hybrid and Tekken: Blood Vengeance

It's been a long while since I've dug my hands into a fresh Tekken game, and I've been eagerly anticipating the release of the newest installment of the series, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, at my local arcade. That's not to say that I haven't been getting my fighting game fix, as other big name video game companies like Capcom and SNK Playmore have released their own new titles, namely Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 and The King of Fighters XIII. I have played both (and even reviewed the former), and while that'll satisfy hungry beat 'em up buffs out there, Namco Bandai also has a special treat release for their loyal fanbase. Suffice to say, it was quite the birthday treat for me, which I just had to play and review.

Many Happy Returns~!

11.22.11 - The Big Day. Well, for me at least.^^;

I'd like to start this entry off by extending a big "Thank You!" to all who remembered and greeted me on this day. It's a big honor and service to have known so many people through the years, and I know there's a lot to things to be grateful for in life. Lord knows a lot of things happened this year - the events, shoots, conventions, cosplay events, games, and even the Batman stuff; and as I add another number to the calendar now, there comes new expectations and possibilities. There's an old quote by English actress and writer Joan Collins that goes like this, and I'm sure people reading this will be familiar with the first line once they gaze their eyes on it:

"Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine"


Short and simple words to live by, and I don't feel any different from yesterday at all. Thanks for making my birthday a wonderful occasion folks. You know who you are, and here's a big salute and thank you from me to you all.;)

- Tim V, aka Timzster

Upgraded Fighter: A review of Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3

When Marvel Vs Capcom 3 exploded onto the console scene this year, it brought back a lot of that old school flair, nostalgia, and appeal fighting game fans were long craving for. Following the path of Street Fighter IV, it swapped two dimensional graphics in favor or a brush art styled 3D graphics engine, whilst retaining classic 2D brawl gameplay so as not to alienate veterans of the series.

Now, a new "upgrade" of the game has finally been released. Called "Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3", new characters, stages, and gameplay additions have been added to this latest entry of the VS series. It pretty much lives up to the reputation Capcom has garnered with its fighting games by rereleasing them with "updated features" and quirks. 

Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3... FINALLY!

Today, I picked up a big game.

As we reach the midpoint of November, a LOT of long awaited videogame titles bumped their way to local retailers and shelves. There's so many out there to choose, you could spend weeks literally savoring each and every one of them. One of these games was the next installment of Ubisoft's long running Assassin's Creed series, Assassin's Creed Revelations, which continues the adventures of Desmond Miles and his ancestor, Ezio Auditore.

However, I didn't pick that up yet. Instead... I got Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3! BOOYAH!

Yes, the "big game" I was referring to earlier is actually an "upgraded version" of the same Capcom fighter released early this year, and in true Capcom fashion, it sports new modes, gameplay changes, and new characters to boot! I still have to try my hand on it as of this posting, but the game is now out for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360!

I picked up the PS3 version, and got a free poster to boot! Be sure to get your copies if you own either system, or wait for is along with the Playstation Vita as its one of the new portable system's launch titles this December! If you need more convincing why it's A MUST for fighting game buffs, here's the launch trailer to remind you why...



Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 Launch Trailer
With that, it's time for another fighting game session of awesomeness. Stay tuned for my thoughts soon, true believers, and hopefully good things come out my run with this"upgraded crossover sequel"!

Random Trips - Dead Zone Zombiethon 2011!

It's November 11, 2011 (or 11-11-11 as it were), and now that I've had some time in my hands, I've finally gotten around to completing the almost 2 week old Zombiethon video compilation that I promised to deliver. In case you missed out what that was all about, here's the 101 again on what transpired!

On October 30, 2011, right in the heart of Makati City Philippines, local zombie fan group Dead Zone organized the second annual "Zombiethon" zombie walk, which was open to all undead lovers and ghoulish fans out there! Being one of those itching to go, I suited up as   the main protagonist of AMC's The Walking Dead himself, Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes, and proceeded to meet with the rest of the zombie trope in the meeting point located at the heart of Makati City.

While we certainly lacking in number, there were enough zombies to cause panic, terror, and havoc as we treaded in the streets. Joining me along for the fun were guys dressed as Raccoon City survivors Leon S. Kennedy and Hunk from the Resident Evil series. We even had a visit from "Hulk Hogan" himself! The zombies themselves had "interesting" faces in their numbers, including a Silent Hill-like nurse ghoul, kid zombies, and even a zombie that looked like Jesus!

Despite the minimum attendance, everything went great, and I even got to choreograph some scenes for  good photo op shots! I'd like to thank the guys at Dead Zone again for organizing Zombiethon 2011, and I'm looking forward to the next event soon! For more info on the group, visit the official Dead Zone Facebook Page!

Now, here's the video in all its undead and Gonk-like manner! Enjoy!




Dead Zone Zombiethon 2011!

Song is "The Gonk" from the original Dawn of The Dead (1978).

Return to sneaking: A review on Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

Yesterday, I picked up the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection for Playstation 3. As the name suggests, it's a compilation of classic Metal Gear Solid titles, specifically Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the then Playstation Portable exclusive MGS title, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Being an avid follower of the series, I wasn't really happy at first with the notion that I had to repurchase these games, considering that I already have these title, the former two bundled with the Metal Gear Solid Essential Collection and the aforementioned PSP release of Peace Walker, but Konami and Hideo Kojima knew how to speak to the fan in me, by giving a lot of incentives why a diehard MGS fan should pick up this re-release. Besides, any excuse to play Snake again is a good reason to play through these titles again. Hit the jump for the review!