Review: 'Happy Feet' Entertaining, But Wobbly

'Happy Feet' (PG)(out of four)

Although "Happy Feet" puts on some unexpected serious moves near its conclusion, the computer-animated family comedy, for the most part, hits its mark. Packed with top-notch voice talent, dazzling visuals, classic rock standards and, of course, stunning tap-dancing sequences, the film has both style and substance -- a rarity for most films in the genre.

Even though director George Miller ("Babe") had this film in production long before the release of last year's Oscar-winning documentary "March of the Penguins," the set-up of "Happy Feet" is similar. Set in the land of emperor penguins in Antarctica, it keys in on real-life penguins' singing ability and how a "heartsong" is vital if a male and female penguin are to find each other as mates.

In the case of "Happy Feet," that couple is Memphis (voice of Hugh Jackman) and Norma Jean (Nicole Kidman), who unite and then have an egg together. When little Mumble (E.G. Dailey) comes along, Memphis and Norma Jean notice something decidedly different about their youngling: He can't sing a song, much less a heartsong, to save his life -- but he does have an uncanny ability to tap-dance (Savion Glover does all of the character's mind-blowing tap moves).

But to Memphis, that talent "just ain't penguin." And to the elders of the community, he turns from an annoyance and distraction as a youngling to an embarrassment as an adult (Elijah Wood). One of the elders (Hugo Weaving), in fact, goes so far as to blame Mumble for the reason there's a shortage of food on the continent.

Dejected by his father's lack of support, the ostracized tap-dancer decides that it's time to fly the coop, catching up with Ramone (Robin Williams) and his band of Latino penguins in a different region of Antarctica. And while the inhabitants accept Mumble for who he is, he still misses home and, in particular, Gloria.

But before he returns, Mumble sets out to prove the elders wrong and unravel the mystery behind who's really responsible for the penguins' starvation crisis.

Although it's being sold to the young kid set in its TV spots and trailers as a goofy, feel-good family comedy about a tap-dancing penguin who doesn't fit in, "Happy Feet" is not all that it seems. True, it starts off with a tender "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"-type of story about a misfit who doesn't conform to his counterparts' ways, yet, three-quarters through the film, it takes a hard right turn into a serious environmental statement about the fragile area in which they live.

Don't get me wrong, as an adult viewer, substance is always welcome in the computer-animated family genre, which is sadly becoming more and more formulaic; nonetheless, it has to be the kind of substance that all of its audience can grasp onto. Older kids will likely get the message, but for the 4-, 5, and 6-year olds -- who at least appeared to be the target audience of this film -- the starvation subplot may be too heavy-handed. On the flip side, regarding Mumble's personal plight, there's a strong message about being proud of who you are despite what others think.

Aside from the starvation theme, there is plenty of action and a spate of wondrous animation to keep the younger audience occupied and appropriately, happy. The visuals are eye-popping (particularly scenes in and above water), Mumble's fur seems almost real and his bright blue eyes -- clearly patterned after Wood's -- give the character some soul.

Williams brings his own kind of soul to the film, voicing not only Ramone but advice guru Lovelace, a portly love god among his fellow penguins. Channeling the deep pipes of the late singer Barry White and sporting a George Clinton/P.Funk-like hairdo, Lovelace is a memorable character -- even though he steps over the boundaries with some unneeded sexual innuendo.

A perfect compliment to Glover's tapping, the film's music will have baby boomers buzzing. Made up of classic tunes by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Queen, Frank Sinatra, Prince, the Beach Boys and others, the songs are mostly remakes (often featuring Murphy, Williams, Jackman and Kidman singing the leads), but remakes that maintain the integrity of the originals while infusing modern musical sensibilities. Particularly soulful is Murphy's rendition of Queen's "Somebody to Love."

Wood, of course, is the odd man out on the musical front, but he's a standout as a voice performer. His innocent approach to the character makes Mumble feel real. Wood is also given the unenviable task of singing horribly, which he does with gusto. The great thing is, it's not annoying, but delightfully funny. It's the sort of thing that will, well, make you happy.