Of all the animated franchises out there, one that has flown considerably under the radar for some time is Happy Feet, a surprising fact when one notes the inherent appeal of dancing penguins. Still, as a Warner Bros. property, this family film’s lack of time in the spotlight is understandable, given the prevalence and high quality of the numerous offerings from both Disney-Pixar and DreamWorks Animation. Needless to say, with five years between the original and this newest sequel, I was skeptical concerning how audiences would react to Happy Feet Two, as the core audience of the first entry had undoubtedly grown out of the target demographic. Hopefully, the all-star cast that included the voice talents of newcomers like Alicia Moore (P!nk), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Sofia Vergara, would draw a large and respectable crowd during the busy Holiday Movie Season. Barely remembering the original, I was admittedly charmed by the energetic trailer, so maybe Happy Feet Two would end up being a pleasant surprise.
In retrospect, I was shocked by how much I enjoyed Happy Feet Two, as the combination of astounding animation, an energetic soundtrack, and thoroughly hysterical and impressive voice acting make the film an entirely enjoying experience. In her first real film role, P!nk does a surprisingly strong job in bringing personality to a character and showcasing her vocal talents, but the most welcome addition to the franchise is the pair of Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, whose banter will have you rolling in the theater. Of course, I cannot downplay the contribution of Robin Williams, who once again cements his comedic talent and timing voicing two distinct characters. It may not have quite the emotional weight or gravity of a Disney-Pixar title, but Happy Feet Two provides more than enough cute, baby animals and dire situations to tug at the heartstrings so strongly that the tactic is almost unfair. A tad corny at times, Happy Feet Two is still a surprisingly strong animated film that not only appeals to adult audiences, but also could give a number of past award-winners a run for their money, and as such it is well-worth seeing and should not be missed.
Overall Recommendation: High
