Happy Feet
Village Roadshow Entertainment | Release Date: November 17, 2006
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 347 Ratings
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72
Negative:
81
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3
branh.Nov 28, 2006
I'd give this movie an 8 for ambition, but a 3 for execution. The film has 2 agendas, one of which reviewers and audience members alike seem to have totally missed. The first is the well-recognized eco-agenda that shows up in the last I'd give this movie an 8 for ambition, but a 3 for execution. The film has 2 agendas, one of which reviewers and audience members alike seem to have totally missed. The first is the well-recognized eco-agenda that shows up in the last 30 minutes of the movie (practically out of the blue) and which, though creatively and compellingly handled initially, is ridiculously resolved in the closure of the film. The second, which is both the one that is missed and the one that drives the film's plot, is Mumble's personal storyline - which is a very thinly veiled metaphor about the experience of coming out and seeking community acceptance as a gay man. Mumble is "different" from birth, he's inherently happy (read: gay) about who he is and doesn't mind his difference at all, he is rejected by his community and his father particularly, and finds a new community with sassy, brassy, carefree, dancing, party animals who appear to lack serious convictions about major life issues (a metaphor for the gay bar scene). I like that the gay agenda is presented in such honest and matter-of-fact terms and think that the movie could've been a wonderful one had the filmmakers simplified their presentation around that, but the rest of the movie is just so confused and sloppy - once the eco-agenda is added in to the picture, and issues of madness and depression are thrown in, as well as various religious/metaphystical issues... Well, the movie just gets totally confused, loses its momentum, and, as a result, can't support it's story nor it's twin agendas very effectively.… Expand
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2
JCLNov 28, 2006
The movie's agenda squashes the fun out of this film- Message: Anglo, religious, Southern, father authority=BAD. Latin, ethnic, U.N., rebellious children= GOOD. Scottish (Anglo) and Southern accents were given to the villains and failed The movie's agenda squashes the fun out of this film- Message: Anglo, religious, Southern, father authority=BAD. Latin, ethnic, U.N., rebellious children= GOOD. Scottish (Anglo) and Southern accents were given to the villains and failed father. Latin and ethnic accents given to the enlightened and fun characters. Unfortunately, I was in a theater full of kids and none of them were having fun or laughing. Graphics were great and kept this from being a total loss.… Expand
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3
cub317Nov 14, 2011
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't understand why people loved this movie. All I saw from it was a total piece of crud. This movie was rated best animated movie of 2006, which makes it one of the most overrated animated movies of all time. I'll admit that the animation was amazing, and it looked so real, but that's the only good thing about this movie, and that's probably the only reason why people love this movie. The reason why I hated this movie was that its plot was so pointless. The reason why it was pointless is the ending. It shows penguins dancing in order to tell the humans to stop taking their fish. Not to mention, the humans actually realized what they were doing from this dance! How the heck did that make them realize what they were taking from the penguins? On top of that, since when do penguins sing and dance? I know that it's an animated movie, and you can do what you want with an animated movie, but this was a far more realistic animated movie. In other words, penguins shouldn't be dancing in an animated movie that was supposed to be realistic. Another thing that annoys me is that there was no humor! One thing that's cool about most animated movies is that almost all of them are funny! This movie has little to no humor in it whatsoever! After seeing this movie, I totally disagreed with most critic's opinions on this movie. I think that Cars should've been the best animated movie of 2006, and not this!… Expand
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7
TyranianApr 9, 2019
This has spectacular animation and a fun cast of characters. The live action stuff was a mistake though.
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8
heyitsmegrif4Jan 16, 2012
Although we have seen the center of the story many times before; Happy Feet is very touching, fantastically animated and funny. It benefits from its extreme heart mostly. I give this film 84%.
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7
oscarrNov 28, 2011
For an animated movie, it is very emotional. No doubt: the best animated movie of the year, with Surf's Up at number 2. I felt so sad when the penguin got trapped.
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7
GriffinJan 28, 2013
This movie certainly isn't among the best ever made, but it still has great computer animation, great musical numbers, & enjoyable characters. Fans of romance will be left empty by the lack of interaction between the main character & the loveThis movie certainly isn't among the best ever made, but it still has great computer animation, great musical numbers, & enjoyable characters. Fans of romance will be left empty by the lack of interaction between the main character & the love interest, but there's still things to appreciate.… Expand
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5
jeff_reviewsJul 9, 2013
"Happy Feet" was troublesome in my opinions. I loved the songs, but I felt that they somehow lagged the film. Yes, I know that it was trying to feel like a musical-like film, but I thought that the songs and dances dragged the film down, and"Happy Feet" was troublesome in my opinions. I loved the songs, but I felt that they somehow lagged the film. Yes, I know that it was trying to feel like a musical-like film, but I thought that the songs and dances dragged the film down, and it got boring at times. Its plot is okay but nothing stellar, and the feel of the movie can feel bland at times. I'm not going to lie and say that I completely enjoyed it, because I didn't. Surprised that it beat Cars at the Academy Awards, but I guess it would be better than Monster House winning.… Expand
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8
FreedomFightersNov 6, 2016
Here's something that'll surprise some of you: "Happy Feet" actually won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film over a Pixar film (granted, it was "Cars," and many people don't love that film as much as Pixar's other efforts, but still). IfHere's something that'll surprise some of you: "Happy Feet" actually won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film over a Pixar film (granted, it was "Cars," and many people don't love that film as much as Pixar's other efforts, but still). If it can do that, something's gotta be going right. Sure enough, "Happy Feet" is quite the charmer: beautifully animated and well-written, while also featuring some great characters and solid music, "Happy Feet" just works. It may not be the best that animation has to offer, but it certainly has a lot going for it that ultimately makes it worth watching.… Expand
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4
RayzorMooseNov 13, 2013
Happy Feet made me want to cut my foot off.
An extremely pointless and overdone film. The message is good but simple, the delivery is poor, the singing is in some cases vomit worthy, and above all it is not very entertaining.
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10
TimeOfTheChimpsSep 5, 2014
Words cannot describe my love of this film. Boasting an entertaining story and unbelievably realistic animation, Happy Feet qualifies as one of the most entertaining animated films I've ever had the pleasure of watching. It's a very heartfeltWords cannot describe my love of this film. Boasting an entertaining story and unbelievably realistic animation, Happy Feet qualifies as one of the most entertaining animated films I've ever had the pleasure of watching. It's a very heartfelt movie with a theme that blends quite nicely with the amazing story and memorable characters. I would give this film a 20, but unfortunately, the rating only goes up to 10.… Expand
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8
Mordovan89Mar 5, 2014
Great, the story is good, entertaining, and contains very significant environmental messages. But exaggeration is still present, as the adventure is not very awesome. Well, I think he deserves 8, but no more.
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7
CineAutoctonoJul 25, 2015
a fascinating story of penguins willing to make a difference to save their livelihoods , excellent work of George Miller , also remember that Brittany Murphy died five years ago.
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8
EpicLadySpongeJan 19, 2016
There's nothing you can hate about this film. If you want something to hate on, look for my 0's. It's no wonder opinions are forever opinions and no opinion can be a fact ever. Happy Feet is a decent musical that actually works.
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3
BarneyOnMTJan 5, 2016
WHAT I LIKED: The animation is great, and the characters are well developed. All this allows 'Happy feet' to dabble with some great themes and still make it appeal to the whole family.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The first half sets up characterWHAT I LIKED: The animation is great, and the characters are well developed. All this allows 'Happy feet' to dabble with some great themes and still make it appeal to the whole family.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The first half sets up character well, but then the middle doesn't have much going on at all, and the end is a fairly poor, ripped off version of the 3rd act of the classic 'finding nemo' where all the serious themes are hammered home. This akwardness means none of the plot appears to fit together well.
VERDICT: The characters keep it going, but 'Happy feet's plot stops it from being a classic animation to remember… Expand
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9
Striking4gold4Jul 13, 2017
Happy Feet could be the Moulin Rouge! of animation, and with good reason. It's true that the movie doesn't exactly hold a strong opening, but once we meet the Amigos, it kicks itself into high gear and refuses to go back. Not only that, butHappy Feet could be the Moulin Rouge! of animation, and with good reason. It's true that the movie doesn't exactly hold a strong opening, but once we meet the Amigos, it kicks itself into high gear and refuses to go back. Not only that, but it offers groundbreaking animation, incorporating many unique dancing scenes and sliding scenes. It even makes the live action moments fit in brilliantly, especially during the scenes when Mumble is in the zoo. And remember when I said that this film is the Moulin Rouge! of animation? I mean that statement, because this movie offers a handful of musical numbers that fit the tone of "heartsongs" very well. It also factors into the dance scenes, like when the characters would dance their feet off to Boogie Wonderland, and those scenes work very well. While it may not be my favorite animated film, it certainly is the best animated jukebox musical you'll find out there.… Expand
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7
FuturedirectorJul 19, 2016
A nice —but predictable— message, simple characters, color-free story-telling, clever and original direction, talented cast and fresh spirit, is mixed with great and cool music, that makes this film to deserve the Oscar.
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5
SrPepeJul 8, 2018
Una película animada muuuuuy regular, no me gustó mucho y la verdad no termine de entenderla bien.
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9
alejandro970Apr 8, 2023
Whether or not it is a jewel of the animated genre, what it claims in its defense is the art style that makes the characters look real, its environmental message and the fact that it entertains on a functional level. That without forgettingWhether or not it is a jewel of the animated genre, what it claims in its defense is the art style that makes the characters look real, its environmental message and the fact that it entertains on a functional level. That without forgetting the cast of voices.… Expand
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10
EndermanJan 20, 2017
Yes, this movie is an overtly pro-environment film. Some have even extracted from its message a secondary message that is treated with equal relevance: a request that we practice tolerance toward those who are different. If they are accusedYes, this movie is an overtly pro-environment film. Some have even extracted from its message a secondary message that is treated with equal relevance: a request that we practice tolerance toward those who are different. If they are accused of "extracting" this message as an aside, then the charge is akin to a dentist spotting a broken molar and saying, "It's no big deal. I'll get to it when I first rid your mouth of pollutants with a good cleaning." Miller makes this a major issue in the flim. As a clergyperson I acknowledge that the dynamics that operate within and define a faith-based community are portrayed as the birth-mother of intolerance. The scene in the movie portraying a destructive community that exercised no care for Sir Elton John's Circle of LIfe even employs the image of a church standing high above the remains of the apathetic community. Is it a fair critique? Herein lies the value of such films: it operates on the assumption that we are intelligent, thinking people who can take criticism and determine its truthfulness and validity. Along with the large number of people in faith-based communities who feel no threat from beliefs that challenge our own, I welcome the challenge. For all who believe the enviornment is the type of issue that addresses the ability of the children in the theater to survive; and, that tolerance for those who tell us "I wish I could change but I cannot" is also important for our survival as humans who intentionally nurture and value the spiritual resource of compassion. Miller refuses to let us bury our heads in the sand (or snow). Now, while I am wrestling with the political and faith-based assertions regarding human destiny, the film presented my 3 year old granddaughter with a simple, entertaining story that is, on her level, a new twist on the "ugle ducking. Thank you George Miller for "layering" this movie for young and old, people of faith and those struggling with doubt, and people who embrace this opportunity to revisit their political views. And George, thank you for one heck of a soundtrack! I can understand (no, I can try to understand) why some will devalue this move for not going far enough, or for going too far in a chldren's movie, etc. However, throw down the gauntlet related to my beliefs, entertain my granddaughter, and fill my ears with a soundtrack fusing some of the best samplings of every genre of rock/pop/ dance and hiphop, (utilizing them in just the right places) and I'll give you a 10 because I really believe it is worth it!… Expand
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9
MonkiReviewsJan 23, 2018
I enjoyed this a lot! The animation, voice acting, and story were great. I am going to be telling you more about the story. I thought that every detail they included in the story was great, they made the story fun to watch, and the charactersI enjoyed this a lot! The animation, voice acting, and story were great. I am going to be telling you more about the story. I thought that every detail they included in the story was great, they made the story fun to watch, and the characters were good too. I think that it is worth a watch.… Expand
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8
LobsterReviewsMay 20, 2018
On the surface, this may seem like a generic children's movie about cute penguins. However the movie actually has more depth to it, being a clever allegory on science versus religion, and how apostates were often treated by religiousOn the surface, this may seem like a generic children's movie about cute penguins. However the movie actually has more depth to it, being a clever allegory on science versus religion, and how apostates were often treated by religious communities in old times. As such, it is both fun for children and interesting for adults, making it an all round good film. However it does seem to drag on a little at times, and could benefit from having some of the scenes trimmed down a bit so that the run time isn't as long.… Expand
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8
amheretojudgeNov 13, 2018
the solution is the climax..

Happy Feet Miller's vivid heartwarming exposure of this satirical world is a delight to encounter it on such a huge screen. First thing's first, the entire world is meticulously created that runs on baththe solution is the climax..

Happy Feet

Miller's vivid heartwarming exposure of this satirical world is a delight to encounter it on such a huge screen. First thing's first, the entire world is meticulously created that runs on bath practicality and fiction and boy what a fine ride it is. The only way to express your feeling is to compare it with when these penguins surfing through the cold icy land and tapping to the beat. Miller's vision is way to wide and jaggedly on mark whose range fluctuates from being for a kid to an adult; it is an epitome of entertainment displayed on a large scale for the audience to grab on to.

The equations among each individual characters are brimmed with tiny notions that helps you picture the entire trajectory of them. And even though the theme is familiar, and has a typical structure and feeds on your known sketchy characters, this is writing at its finest. The narration flows like a smooth river and with such adaptive and gripping script, the pace is the one that changes the entire game. The voice cast has done a decent work. Jackman gets a bit more range and room than Kidman to factor in, where actually both of their characters are nurturing and protective to their kid.

Wood is the one driving this boat, and he seems at ease in here. Weaving gets to impute the politically influenced satire that amps up the charge. And Williams for the most part of it, carries it all on his shoulder, his comic timing, his accent, his attitude is off the roofs. Miller's storytelling is compelling and busy throughout the course where the sense of emergency does communicate. Happy Feet dances on your usual beat, but this choreography is synced and an abbreviated metaphor of our current lifestyle, the solution is the climax.… Expand
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5
FilipeNetoJun 13, 2020
Once upon a time there was a land in Antarctica where penguins knew how to sing wonderfully to mate... once upon a time there was a penguin who did not know how to sing but, instead, danced tap dancing wonderfully. Once upon a time, there wasOnce upon a time there was a land in Antarctica where penguins knew how to sing wonderfully to mate... once upon a time there was a penguin who did not know how to sing but, instead, danced tap dancing wonderfully. Once upon a time, there was an animated film with penguins (another one) that wanted to tell an incredible story but didn't know how to finish it.

In short, this is how the plot of this film comes down, another one that uses penguins to attract the children, which has a predilection for this cute and friendly animal. The film intelligently addresses group social behaviour, the creation of patterns, what is acceptable or unacceptable in a community, social exclusion and the acceptance of what is different, and the film is excellent at exploring all of this and gives rise to many interesting moral lessons for the minds of children and young people. But, if we exclude this more didactic and formative point, the script is very thin and hardly sustains an 100 minutes feature film. To make matters worse, the script was unable to decently complete the story: the main character's journey to the human world is something so unrealistic and unlikely that it completely destroys the film.

The voice actors all did a good job, especially Elijah Wood, the veteran of the 1000 voices Robin Williams, and also Brittany Murphy. The visual quality of the animation is very good, but the use of digital resources, CGI and mass computing already made this to be expected, as it is the new standard of modern animated cinema. The film knows how to use light and color very well. The characters were designed to appeal to the little ones and look cute, making the film profitable and giving rise to a merchandising machine eager to make the children ask their parents for anything with a penguin on it. Strongly based on music, the film has a lot of rhythm and the soundtrack is probably one of the richest in the animated movies that decade, but it is a soundtrack heavily based on well-known songs and covers by artists like Elvis, Prince, Earth Wind & Fire etc. As far as I can tell, the film has few original songs. Still, it is a good soundtrack and an excellent film, good enough to win the Oscar for Best Animated Film, in that distant year of 2007.… Expand
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1
EkhJun 1, 2019
I'm as pro-environment as they come, but this movie was boring, creepy (uncanny valley much?) and just not at all fun to watch. I don't understand why it got critical acclaim.
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6
Sosmooth1982Dec 24, 2022
It was at least a different kind of a movie. They do look cute. They looked pretty funny dancing.
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2
AhendyJan 4, 2021
I was so disappointed watching this. I'd heard it was so good and finally got around to watching it, but I gave up halfway through. The penguins are cute, I guess, but the gender roles and racial stereotypes are better suited to the 1950sI was so disappointed watching this. I'd heard it was so good and finally got around to watching it, but I gave up halfway through. The penguins are cute, I guess, but the gender roles and racial stereotypes are better suited to the 1950s than the 21st century. It presents a world in which men and women can't be friends, and women are reduced to either mothers or sexual conquests. There are only two semi-important female characters, Mumble's mother and his love interest, and they never interact (at least in the first half of the movie that I made it through). The female penguins sing pathetic songs about needing to find someone, anyone, to love them, and about how the guy doesn't even need to have any attractive qualities. On the race side, the emperor penguins all seem to be Anglo-American (with one Russian), while ethnic minorities that face discrimination are portrayed as other species, either stupid predators (Italians, Black people), or small and non-threatening Adelie penguins whose purpose is to help the white main character (Hispanics). This is all despite the white emperor penguins appropriating Black music as their "heartsongs". Definitely sends the wrong message to children.… Expand
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8
JJ2FAS4UDec 31, 2021
----------------------------------8.0/10-----------------------------------
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8
GemsicleDec 7, 2021
In 2005, there was the Oscar-winning documentary feature March of the Penguins, and in 2006, there was the Oscar-worthy animated feature Happy Feet. There have been numerous films of the same genre since New Year’s Day but not a lot of themIn 2005, there was the Oscar-winning documentary feature March of the Penguins, and in 2006, there was the Oscar-worthy animated feature Happy Feet. There have been numerous films of the same genre since New Year’s Day but not a lot of them were as hailed as expected, but this year, Happy Feet is a film like none other than the same genre. Which, as it shows us a reasonable purpose for the film’s PG rating. Animation is an alluration to younger audiences but the framework in Happy Feet is a spontaneous miracle that premature and mature audiences will be able to acknowledge. This is all thanks to none other than our Mr. George Miller, who is known for directing the Mad Max films that clues us in adrenaline. George Miller has been affiliated with several family-friendly films and tries to make it work here, but peril and mischief is included in this movie that should remain cautionary for the smaller viewers. Almost every background frame in this film is like a photo sample on a website for a certain cover for various occasions like on a computer or a slideshow presentation. Even though shots like these are not pervasive, they have sibling shots that do not disappoint either. The main shots in this movie are types that only director George Miller can have the guts to visualize and blissfully pushed his animators to the edge to prove it. Mumble appears in every scene that includes a pursuit and the way each shot shakes is like they match with each characters’ performance.

I do believe I have said enough about the quality of animation, now I shall talk about the film itself. A penguin empire has an ordinance of having a heartsong just to qualify residency in it. About 85% of the empire carry eggs that are imminently hatched and are to stick to the ingredient of making sure the infants are hatched properly, by holding it at all times. One of the penguin fathers drops his egg and affects the penguin sleeping in his egg, unveiling his son’s moxy for tap-dancing and inept singing. The tap-dancing penguin goes by the name of Mumble and the way he executes his number one skill is catchy to all that watch the film, especially younger viewers. Mumble’s fellow penguins dig his expertise for a while but later seek distance from it due sidetracking from their desired intents as well as the emperor of the penguin tribe. Alienated, Mumble seeks on an adventure to revitalize his conduct by retrieving the empire’s fish from the humans. Embarking midway through his mission he comes to realize that the humans that Mumble witnesses are shown to be very opinionated and develop an interest in Mumble’s tap dancing. This is as if an aquarium audience is integrated into a theater audience where they are totally captivated by Mumble’s performance.

I would also like to mention other cast members such as the quixotic Nicole Kidman who plays Mumble’s empathetic mother, Hugh Jackman as her husband who is responsible for the entire feature, Brittany Murphy as a love interest for Mumble, and last but with the highest of enthusiasm, Robin Williams. Outcast Mumble is befriended by a clique of Hispanic penguins who are mostly voiced by Robin Williams who is like your number one pick-up liner and commiseration soul that no other actor can perfectly execute and is both a character and real-world guy who will never leave your shoulder. I will admit, this movie is surrounded by quirkiness and sly innuendos, but that does not mean it is bad, it just shows itself as a strict PG rating.

Happy Feet is not a perfect movie, nor would be a movie that I would want to watch for the rest of my life, but it feels like a fair introduction to a younger audience (aside from Babe: Pig in the City) as if they would want to understand a technique that George Miller uses as a director, even though the film itself is not fully suitable for children.… Expand
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