Happy Feet Two Review
Young penguin Erik (Ava Acres) is taken in by a flying penguin, Sven (Hank Azaria), even as his father, Mumble (Elijah Wood), tries to win the admiration and love of his child. When their rookery is hit with a disaster, Mumble saves the day. Read the review of Happy Feet Two for more.
- Happy Feet Two Review
Business rating: 2.5/5 stars
Star cast: Elijah Wood, Ava Acres, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, P!nk, Sofía Vergara, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon.
What’s Good: The voice acting; the animation; the comedy and emotions in the script; the 3D effects which are excellent.
What’s Bad: The film will appeal only to a section of the Indian audience; the rather lengthy climax; the plethora of songs that will not be liked by everybody in the audience.
Verdict: Happy Feet Two is entertaining fare which will do above average business at the Indian box-office.
Loo break:None at all!
Watch or Not?:Definitely. Happy Feet Two is for kids, young adults and adults.
Kennedy Miller Mitchell and Village Roadshaw Pictures’ Happy Feet Two is a sequel to the animation film, Happy Feet.
Young penguin Erik (voice of Ava Acres) is reluctant to dance as all the other penguins in his rookery do. When Erik’s father, Mumble (voice of Elijah Wood), prompts him to try, Erik fumbles and ends up being the laughing stock of the penguin community. He then leaves the rookery with three young penguin friends, and chances upon another faraway group of penguins led by a flying penguin, Sven (voice of Hank Azaria). Erik is in awe of Sven, in spite of his father telling him that penguins can’t really fly.
On their way back to their home, Mumble saves the life of a giant Elephant Seal, which promises Mumble a favour. Once back, the group of penguins discovers that their home (a huge pit in between snowy mountains) has been blocked by ice from all sides because of an earthquake. No one from their rookery can now get out of there.
Even as Mumble tries to help those stuck inside, including his wife, Gloria (voice of P!nk), Erik leans towards Sven, who arrives with his whole community to help. As the penguins, who are stuck inside, start becoming desperate, and try different ways to escape, Mumble comes up with an innovative idea. Does it work? Is he able to save the penguins? What about young Erik’s idol-worship of Sven? Who is Sven really? All these questions are answered in the rest of the film and the climax.
Happy Feet Two Review: Script Analysis
First of all, it must be said that Happy Feet Two manages to do what few animation sequels have done so far – it is as entertaining, if not more, than the first film of the series. While Happy Feet concentrated on the tumultuous journey of (the then young) Mumble from an outcaste to the savior of his herd, the sequel tells the story of Mumble’s relationship with his impressionable son. But that’s not all. The screenwriters (George Miller, Warren Coleman, Gary Eck and Paul Livingston) have added the elements of adventure, comedy and heartwarming emotions to the script, making Happy Feet Two a complete package.
On the flip side, the many songs in the film, though entertaining and well-composed, will bore a certain section of the Indian audience to whom the film might seem like a musical. Moreover, since the film is an animation film, a genre that still sees comparatively lesser appreciation from the paying public in India, it will have to depend on mainly the city-based Indian audiences (especially kids).
This is not to say that the film is meant only for kids. It has plenty for adults as well. The track of Will the Krill (voice of Brad Pitt) and Bill the Krill (Matt Damon) is such that it will be understood and much appreciated by the young adults and adults only. On the other hand, the kids will enjoy the bumbling ways of young Erik and his friends, the stylish yet funny characterisations of Ramon and Lovelace (both voiced by Robin Williams) and the climactic sequence where all the penguin nations, Elephant Seals and even Krills get together to save the stranded penguins. The climax, which is otherwise entertaining, could have been cut short by a few minutes.
Happy Feet Two Review: Voice Performances
The voice acting is top rate. Elijah Wood betters his act from Happy Feet, making his voice acting a veritable delight. Ava Acres is very good as young Erik’s voice. Robin Williams excels in both his characters. Hank Azaria (as Sven) is impressive. Sofía Vergara (as voice of Carmen) does a fine job. P!nk (as Gloria) is fine. Benjamin Flores Jr. (as Atticus), Common (as Seymour), Hugo Weaving (as Noah the Elder) and others offer very good support. Brad Pitt and Matt Damon are a delight. They have the best dialogues to mouth.
Happy Feet Two Review: Direction & Technical Aspects
George Miller’s direction is very good as he manages to tell the story in an engaging and entertaining manner. He balances the adventure and the emotional elements very well. John Powell’s background score goes with the mood of the film. The choreography (by Wade Robson, Dein Perry, Kate Wormald and Savion Glover) is very good. David Peers’ cinematography is very good. The animation (animation director: Rob Coleman) is of a very superior quality. The film is a delight to watch in 3D because of several action scenes that use 3D effects to the maximum.
Happy Feet Two Review: The Last Word
On the whole, Happy Feet Two is an entertaining fare which works for both, the kids and the adults. However, it will primarily find appreciation among a section of the multiplex audience in Indian cities.
No comments:
Post a Comment