To set its animated holiday film apart from all the other talking animal cartoons hitting theaters this year, Warner Brothers previewed Happy Feet for the press, with some live penguins trotting across stage for good measure. These penguins may talk, they may sing but they’re the only cartoon animals this year who are dancing up a storm.
Happy Feet Preview
The first clip showed a penguin with Robin Williams’ voice singing Sinatra’s “My Way” with four backup penguin dancers. Other scenes show the CGI replication of Antarctica with shiny white glaciers and green lights in the night sky.
Later, Brittany Murphy does a great rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” No one but me will remember Anne Hathaway doing the same song in Ella Enchanted so that’s okay. Both have wonderful voices.
As poor Mumble (Elijah Wood) gets sent away for not being able to sing, he finds a new family with the Latino-themed penguins. They’re shorter than Mumble and they do the pebble thing, but they appreciate his moves.
Williams comes back with another voice for Lovelace, a Barry White sounding guru with yellow feathers and a six pack ring around his neck.
Mumble tries lip syncing to his sweetheart Gloria (Murphy) while Ramon (Williams) provides the actual song, but there’s no faking talent. The ruse only makes her more angry.
Aside from these emotional moments, there are intense action scenes with penguins diving into the ocean and swimming with sharks. Another funny bit has a walrus try to give chase, only very, very slowly.
Add to Heffee!
