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