Penguinly Possible
Happy Feet
Review by Ross Anthony

What a wonderful movie! It opens on the most beautiful snowy glass ball sky, with music as sweet as the aurora borealis pumped through an MP3 player. The first half of the film swims with a rhythm that will keep your feet happy and warm despite the icy scenery.

But just when you think you've caught the drift of this cute little rockin' movie, the glacier capsizes propelling our little heroes and the mood of the picture into a different, yet just as entertaining texture. It's actually a bit of shock to the system, that an animated film about penguins would have such a dramatic edge. It's a bold move to make such socially important statements in a film that would still have been just dandy remaining foot-loose and fancy-free.

The music arrangement and performance and especially the interpretive melodic medley compositions are fantabulous -- chillingly sweet. The acting is solid and animation dynamic -- from cute to powerful (dramatic, occasionally dark, commanding) in 0.5 seconds. This is what going to the movies is all about -- and I don't even have kids! Take March of the Penguins, Moulin Rouge (musically speaking), "Babe" (same writer/director) and put them in a blender with shaved ice, fresh ideas, some solid messages and great animation -- it's a kid's film for adults and teens.

Some Notes: Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and even Robin Williams do the singing for their respective characters. Murphy & Kidman can really sing! Interestingly enough writer/director Miller wanted to change some lyrics from Prince's "Kiss." Prince initially denied them permission, but after screening some footage from the film, he was so inspired -- he changed his mind on that and wrote an original song for the film which plays during the end credits.

Free Ross Anthony Signed Book Contest!


  • Happy Feet. Copyright © 2006.
  • Starring the voices of Carolos Alazraqui, Lombardo Boyar, Jeff Garcia, Honny Sanchez, Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving.
  • Directed by George Miller.
  • Screenplay by George Miller, John Colle, Judy Morris, Warren Coleman.
  • Produced by Doug Mitchell, George Miller, Biller Miller at WB/Village Roadshow.

Grade..........................A+ (4/4)


chili4 special olympians
power5 ra hforh radiop
Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Monday, 13-Nov-2006 13:43:56 PST