REVIEWS

I thought this movie was okay, but wouldn't recommend to take young kids because of the sexual innuendo. The movie had great visaul affects. This movie reminded me of so you think u can dance versus american idol. However i think that its weird that they advertised this movie as a fun dancing film and turn around and trick the audience that its about preserving animals. If viewers knew what they were seeing they would not see the movie and the film makers could not get their message across. I liked how the movie protrayed that its wrong to take an animal away from its original habitat. It should be a movie for Sea world to see as well as other Zoos.

roberta, As I said in my review, I have absolutely no problem with the film presenting an environmental message. I do have a problem with how it was presented. I stand by my statement that there is a responsible way to put that message into the film, and changing the tone to something so stark that it pulls you completely out of the movie is NOT how to do it. I've talked to several people since the film was released who felt tricked by the sudden turn the film takes. Is that really how to get your message across? As far as sexual innuendo, I don't recall there being any. The closest I can think of is when Lovelace takes all the "chicks" behind his hill. Also, to compare the way Happy Feet treats religion to a Harry Potter debate is nowhere even close to the same thing. Happy Feet shows old fart penguins who look like old evangelical Christians. I'm not saying that's wrong. My issue is when it's exposed that these elders are shown to be lying to the "flock" so they could keep control over the people who had put their trust in them. Do I have a problem with a film having a message? If so, I had better stop reviewing movies because every movie has a message of some sort. My whole issue has been the way that message was presented. I would have the same problem with any message presented the same way.

This move was over sexed to the point where I felt uncomfortable sitting in a room full of children. Racial stereotypes were made. The loud "crazy" penguins were portrayed as being Hispanic, hitting every bad stereotype that is made about the community. At times the film was very scary. I think that this film is not appropriate for children. I ended up leaving an hour and ten minutes into the show. I could not sit in on it any longer. I have never left a movie theater before

Kathryn, You're right, the director's point of view came across loud and clear. The question has to be whether that point of view resonated with the audience. For myself, it didn't. The main issue I had was that the film was preachy to the point of being an environmentalist version of Bible-bashing. Obviously, most of the country doesn't agree with me. Just look at the box office numbers. Personally? I feel like I was being talked down to. You're right, it wasn't marketed as just a kids film. It was marketed as a FAMILY film. That means the film is going to be appropriate for the entire family. One of the reasons I actually enjoyed An Inconvenient Truth is that I didn't feel like I was being brow-beaten. That film was VERY environmentalist-friendly. Now what's the difference between the two? Oh yeah, I knew what I was walking into with An Inconvenient Truth. I have respect for everybody's opinion. If you've listened to the podcast, there are many areas where all of us couldn't disagree with each other more, but we all respect each other's opinions. What matters is how you express that opinion and that's where my opinion of Happy Feet being irresponsible comes from.

Interesting how this is viewed as a propaganda movie by conservatives. So bad for children! Well, let me proffer that if this had been a patriotic, gun-ho American propaganda movie (and I'm American), full military garb, it would have been alright. After all, we need to teach our children to be patriotic, good citizens, right? Uncle Sam and all that jazz. It's a shame that "evangelicals" who are so concerned about their children's spirital well being can't allow their children to be exposed to a message about caring for the environment, something that God Himself created and intended for us to care for (read Genesis). But then hypocrisy and double-think is the norm these days. How sad.

I made an editorial error in my last post. I forgot to delete the last items after the quotes... OK. I tried to leave this alone, but the more I read, the more disturbed I got. I know that everyone reacts differently, but I'm going to be an advocate for this film for one quick moment. #1. Stop the talk about the unneccessary sexual references. The film was rated PG, and if you do your homework regarding a PG rated film you will know that the PG used for the following: "Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children": The Rating Board applies this rating when the members believe the film contains themes or content that parents may find inappropriate for younger children. The film can contain some profanity, violence or brief nudity, but only in relatively mild intensity. A PG film should not include drug use. So if a PG film could contain brief nudity, I shouldn't be up in arms about a subtle sexual connotation. I ready one post from someone who said they felt uncomfortable with the children their with the sexual references made. My response is you should have known that was a possibility given the rating the movie received, that why the ratings exist. Personally, I wasn't disturbed by what I saw because my 4 year old son didn't really catch those innuendos, and if he had, that's a teaching moment for me, which I fine with. However, I knew that might happen because of the rating in which the movie is assigned. #2. To those people who felt like this was an over the top message from environmentalist I would say you can't see the forrest for the trees. You are caught up with the specific item used to make the point in the film, the Penguins losing fish and starving, instead of focusing on what I think was the broader and factual message. We as a soceity continue to invade the community, soceity, culture, food chain, etc, of other living beings (people, animal, etc..) without giving concern on the impact our way of doing things has on that group. Which is true. Besides I guess you are upset because the fim maker made you think about your position on an issue while watching a movie. My 4 year old son doesn't catch the message, that message was targeted to me, and guess what I caught it, and while I might no agree with the actual specific demonstration of the message, I don't deny the aunthenticy of the broader point, be mindful of your impact upon others when pursuing you personal objectives, because you might be harming someone else at the expense of your own achievements. #3. To the thought that this was an anti-religious film. I say to you, you are being way to narrow in your perception of this film. The issue of the Elders rejecting the new ways of the young in order to hold on their control has been a part of our society for quite some time, and guess what it's not unique to the church. I suppose the film maker chose religion as a symbol because it's something most of us deal can identify with. Besides, even if he was referrin to religion, I would have to say that I have been a born again Christian since 1988 and have been a licensd minister in the church since 1992 and I personally witness numerous occasions where the symbolism referenced (older leaders squasing youthful movements in order to maintain non-factual established traditions) has in fact occured. So I'm not offended by the reference. The main reason why this so called anti-religous symbolism doesn't offend me, is because I am open minded enough and objective enough to know this type of behaviour is not unique to religioun. It happens very frequently, in business, families, sports, education, etc, The film maker just decided to take religious symbolism, which I'm also objective enough to know that this wasn't saying all religious leader are this way. Ultimately, I'm saying that the level of criticism applied to this film is simply no accurate and not really founded. There are a lot worse films that you could take you kids to then Happy Feet. I found it funny to see one person say the movie was lame and they felt baited or deceived by the film,. see (See Quote 1) (Quote 1) "but the story was totally lame. It was just full of all these underlying messages from sexual and ethnic stereotyping to environmentalist plugs. I really felt after watching it that my kids and I had been baited in to see a cute kid movie and then were fed a bunch of other stuff that I wished I hadn't paid to be entertained by." Only to ultimately make the point I said in my first posting (See Quote 2) (Quote 2) "To be fair, the penguins were adorable, there were a few parts that had me laughing out loud and my kids both came home and gave tap dance performances" The film was funny and it had a message. I don't know if I agree with the specifics, are we hurting the survival of Emporer Penguins by taking their fish,I don't think that's the case, but the message is true, and I think if you get beyond the trees and look at the forest you will find an entertaining film for your that will make you as an adult,think.

way too much innuendo in there. I actually searched google for "Happy Feet Innuendo" to see if anyone else had caught all the edgy stuff in that film. Thankfully I'm a teenager, and only saw it because my girlfriend wanted to. We both agree it was a relatively bad movie. I wouldn't take kids. The penguins sang "Lets talk about sex"...WTF!

Rated PG (for some mild peril and rude humor) enough said...if you don't like rude or suggestive humor then don't go, but don't act surprised or offended when its in the film. I don't have a problem with this being a family film, because everyone in my house enjoyed it, and the rude humor was over the top of my son's head, and the young people who noticed it, already knew about the subject, so there was nothing really to say to them that they didnt' already know.

ok i loved happy feet sooo much i went and saw it 4 times in theater it was that good...now im just waiting for it to come out so i can own it!!!

ok, i just saw this movie, and i loved it. But what was the reason for sex jokes? even for the people on this board saying "well you could just explain it to your kids", why even put it in there? there is no reason, and i too have no problem with the enviromental message. but the way it was shown was just terrible. the movie really has no plot, and it falls apart halfway into it. but, for all the things that i liked about this film, ill give it an 8/10

what i think is funny is all the crazy people appalled about the sexual content. dude it's a child's movie~the kids dont even know what that means. and if you have a 4 year old or even a 6 year old that knows what 'doggy-style' is, you have bigger issues ya damn perve. kids dont know what that means at all. until their innoscence is lost will they know what that crap means...let the movie bee seen through the eyes of a child...stop the over analyzing..

Louis -- Sexual Innuendos are common amongst kids films and even TV programs, for the exact point you mentioned, to give the parents a laugh why they have to sit and watch a kids program with thier children, who will not even notice the jokes; its not stupid its a brilliant idea that has been done in the UK and Australia sence the 60's with little public outcry. Even the US has recently started putting innuendos in kids films as seen in Shrek.

I recently watched this movie in Sociology class, because it had a lot of issues that real life has, like not being accepted, master status...blah blah blah. I was in a class with kids my own age (17-18) and we all noticed the sexual innuendos. Is it wrong? No. Because kids won't notice it. But older kids will. But I'm just wondering why some movies do that. I personally thought the movie was boring because of the plot shift; I mean, was it REALLY necessary to change the plot to an environmental one? I really had high hopes for Gloria and Mumble, but then he just PUSHES her away? She can't come with them? There was a lot of dry humor for adults, but it didn't bother me. I knew it was coming the moment they played that song by Prince. And especially when they played a revamped version of "Let's Talk About Sex" (Let's Talk About Ex? Nice try Warner Bros.). All in all, I give this movie a 4/10. The people could have done a much better plot. When I saw previews, I thought it would be about ALL of the penguins dancing and celebrating. No singing. I was kinda pulled into the 'cuteness' factor of it. Which isn't very cute once Mumble grows up. "My feet are happy too!"

ok so yeah happy feet had quite a bit of sexual scenes...especially when gloria and mumble tumbled around and fell into "69" position, the "doggy style" position, and of course the part where they're facing each other and mumble is lying face-down into Gloria's very noticably-large breasts (where the hell did penguins get breasts?) and of course there was a brief part where mumble did some booty-slappin on Gloria. like someone else said before, you've GOT to wonder what went on through the animator's mind when they were animating those scenes! gah! whoever came up with the idea to put the sex secenes in there anyway?? somebody answer!

"Wait a minute...happy feet can't cause a famine" (Mumble to the Elders) To me, that seemingly simple statement wraps up the whole POINT of the movie. It's the reason for Mumble's relentless journey to discover the truth - and what a journey! Who among us can identify with the sheer determination and willpower required to see it through...even when all hope seems lost and our obstacles daunting? How many of us have 'modified' our behaviour in order to fit in, become one of the pack, when we KNOW deep down the qualities that make us unique yearn for a form of self expression? I say "Bravo Mumble". You've proven your worth by your steadfastness, singular intent and, most importantly, your actions. You've endured the ridicule of others, braved mortal hazards, and leapt willingly into the unkown to pursue that which drives you. And you've returned here, back to us, with your 'voice' and a tale of wonder shared. Not all of us are ready to truly hear you yet. But I derive great comfort in the knowledge that you won't give up on us.

I just saw this movie last night on DVD. While everyone may argue propaganda, I just found it more confusing than anything else. Propaganda is nothing new in the movies. But, wasn't the message early on "be yourself"? It was. But, then it goes off on a 30 minute tangent about environmental issues with very little story connecting life in the wild with life in captivity (both before and after). Mumbles comes back, but then everyone else conforms to him at the end. Great message - "just be yourself, then eventually everyone will be like you". For the record, I did notice the quick sexual positions when Mumbles and Gloria come out of the water. I'm amazed at why anyone would intentionally put that in a movie primarily aimed at children. I'm also up for a story teaching kids to protect then environment, but this one seemed to be one crammed into the middle of the movie with no regard to artistry. I also amazed that we can throw certain racial stereotypes into a movie, like the latino penguins, with no uprising. Why not create new characters - as opposed to recycled stereotypes? Point being, the movie was entertaining in bits and pieces, but not a good movie as a whole. Too disjointed.

i think happy feet was a great movie ,yeah it had some weird parts in it , but hey,at least the kids don't know what there looking at , so chill. maybe, they shouldn't put parts like that in a kids movies. But look, its a kids movies, dang. these movie directors don't care anymore , so might as well let do what they do!

opinion #37 sucks, but that's just me being subjective, you know? oh wait, i have to go ride my bike.

For all who have seen this DVD over and over again. Can anyone tell me what the smaller penquin was "mouthing" at the end of the movie? Check it out, look between Mumbles and Gloria. Let me know your conclusion.