The people at Warner Bros have got to be pleased with themselves. Even when negative reports began to appear oh so long ago the studio continued to market their upcoming CG animation, Happy Feet, like it was the next great animation. Now, with the film opening to theatres this week, we finally have our first official reviews for the film and they are... immensely positive?
Happy Feet Reviews
Both Variety and THR have posted their reviews for Happy Feet and both agree that the film should do great at the box office. Holy penguin, talk about a major turn of events since summer.
THR
Happily, it all works. Miller and his co-writers Judy Morris and Warren Coleman plug in enough action sequences -- where penguins tumble down towers of ice and frantically escape predators and flee avalanches -- to entertain younger viewers. The many musical numbers are brilliantly choreographed and orchestrated through some of the best motion capture ever employed in a cartoon. And the film often astonishes you with the three-dimensionality of its frozen landscapes. With smart marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures has a solid entertainment that should sweep across many demographics. Nor does it hurt that last year's "March of the Penguins" educated so many moviegoers to the extraordinary world of empire penguins.
Variety
Viewers weary of the increasing similarity of most animated films have a tonic at hand in "Happy Feet." Likely to be affectionately dubbed "March of the Penguins: The Musical," George Miller's long-in-the-works dive into full-blown computer animation drapes a relatively conventional story, about a young penguin's struggles over being "different," in striking visuals, invigorating songs and lively characterizations. Although the film might prove a bit too different for a minority of parents, general reaction is likely figures to be one of jaw-dropping amazement, sparking merry B.O. through the holidays and further abundance in home entertainment incarnations. Extensive simultaneous Imax engagements will be particularly popular.
The only thing that Happy Feet has to deal with now is Casino Royale, another film that has begun to receive early praise.
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