Hey folks, Harry here... That George Miller is directing the happy tap dancing penguin movie and Robert Zemeckis is doing a balls out Frazetta-esque animated telling of BEOWULF... there's just something really really unfair about that. The connection is... Frazetta did the one sheet for that Gibson Classic! Which I've got autographed by Mel! *dancing about naked* Ok, you didn't need to know that. I'll let you get to Latauro and the latest on HAPPY FEET...
Okay, if you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that Dr George Miller has been working on a new film. HAPPY FEET is an animated film about a penguin, and it has a cast that includes Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brittany Murphy, Magda Szubanski and Robin Williams.
What you might also remember (provided you download every AICN-Downunder and cross-reference keywords on a specially-designed Excel document, and, let's face it, why wouldn't you?) is that way back in July of 2004, AICN-D reported on a whole slew of troubles the production was facing (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=17974). A source very close to the production wrote in to say the whole thing was turning into a big disaster.
Well, it's a year and a half later, and it looks like an early cut has been screened to a select audience. Two scoopers wrote to me with what I believe are the first reviews anywhere of the film, and the reaction is firmly, definitely, decidedly mixed. One liked it and one loathed it. Though they don't give away the ending, they do allude to it... Folks, I've heard what happens in the end, and I've been praying that either (a) they'd change it, or (b) it was totally misrepresented to me, and will actually be a glorious piece of random, Looney Tunes-inspired randomness.
You, me, and everyone else finds out the truth in November/December of this year, but until then, here are our two reviews...
Here's Bobby Maracas:
Hi!
Well, I just had to write in and tell you everyone that I've just seen Happy Feet, the new animated comedy from George Miller. I havent seen the Mad Max films, so I am unfamiliar with his style, but the film is still a surprise departure from the Road Warrior.
So how is it? Well, I saw it with another guy who HATED it. I kinda liked it, and this is my review, so screw him!
You dont get much of the story from the trailer. It is about a young penguin called Mumble who can't sing, a thing all pengins must do to attract a mate. But he discovers he can dance, and so begins a journey for not only him, but the rest of his species.
So what did I like? It looked like most of the animation wasn't finished, but there were a few shots that looked kind of complete, and the backgrounds looked great. Its nice to see someome trying to go better than the cartoony look that cg films have of late. The dance numbers (there are a few of them) are also great, very well coreagraphed. You probably know all the songs, it's a bit like moulin rouge. There is a great number in particular where the penguins dance to Queens 'somebody to love'. And I like penguins generally, they are really cute! However, they really are the opposite of the penguins in 'madagascar'. They are a lot more warm and fuzzy. There is some good action, the chase scenes under the ice particularly were well done.
And now the not so good. If you dislike Robin Williams, do not see this movie. I really quite like him, but by the end of the film I knew I was sick of him. It seems like every third character is Robin Williams! He is quite tiring. There are loads of other stars who do bit parts, and some of them are quite good. Nicole Kidman and (I think) Hugh Jackman were Mumbles parents. But I disliked Robin Williams spanish accent for one of the characters. Why are there pengins from spain?
I also wasn't sure about the way the penguins moved. They all looked like men in suits. This was apparently because they were all real people filmed using motion control. It was hard to tell on the quicktime, but they did definitly not move like real penguins, or in a cool kind of way. It kept taking me out of the movie.
I also thought there were too many characters. I kept getting confused as to who was who. Also, the ending seemed very tacked on and strange.
Overall I quite liked it, although it definitly wont be to everyones taste. In fact, I'm not sure what the audience is for this film.
Call me Bossy Maracas.
...and here's Wingman:
Greetings and salutations
This is a review for the upcoming all-CG film, 'Happy Feet', which I just happened to stumble across in a dark alley.
First off, I am a HUGE George Miller fan, so bear that in mind when you read this. I think he singelhandedly created the post apocalyptic genre, and made it his own. I mean, no ones done it better yet!
So, knowing this was a little softer (a kids movie), I watched it with some curiousity. It is also obviously not finished, so things might change before it's finished (although I was told not much) So what did I think?
I HATED THIS FILM. It wasn't a badly made film, I guess, just bad. None of the humor worked for me. Robin Williams, dear God, Robin Williams. He should be hereafter banned from ever making another animated movie! He was everywhere.
I also hate musicals, and I hated Moulin Rouge. This film is a lot like Moulin Rouge meets Jonathon Livingston Seagull, a boring overated book, in my opinion.
None of the cast really do a great job. I think Brittany Murphy is hot, but if she sings 'somebody to love' man, I want to SEE her sing it.
I just thought this film was plain annoying, even for a kids film, and I will not be going to see it again in the cinema. One and a half out of five.
PS I think I should add out of fairness that the film is obviously not finished, and I saw it under less than ideal conditions, so perhaps that tainted my view of it, although I doubt it!!!
Wingman
Peace out,
Latauro
Mail Me, Mail Me Hard, here's my slot!
