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Happy Feet Two (2011)

Director: George Miller

Time Out rating

Average user rating
7 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

George Miller’s latest Antarctic dance fest is a pale shadow of its exuberant predecessor. While ‘Happy Feet’ bulged with toe-tapping songs and a clever switch into darker ‘Truman Show’ territory, this 3D sequel suffers from a lack of continuity, over-egged, gospel-flavoured covers of trashy soul and a set of urban dance moves as clichéd as anything on ‘The X Factor’.

The first film centred on the feats of little Mumble, a forlorn emperor penguin who couldn’t sing but jived like Gene Kelly. At first it looks like the sequel might focus entirely on Mumble’s withdrawn son Erik, but the narrative thread soon frays into a series of subplots involving a pair of wilful krill, a puffin masquerading as a flying penguin and a padded-out quest to save Mumble and Erik’s trapped colony from an encroaching ice shelf. If there’s a saving grace, it’s the visuals, especially the beautiful scenes of orange krill. But that’s about all.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 2154: 1 – 6 December, 2011


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User reviews of this film

  • Poo said...
    Posted on Dec 18 2011 11:32 It was a rubbish film and when I watched it I felt gay and retarded haha
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  • scrumpyjack said...
    Posted on Dec 09 2011 02:10 No plot, a lot of pandering to "hipness" (sorry, lost for another word...."today-ness"?) and 15 min too long, so why did I kinda like it? Great 3D helped and the thought of having kids next to me rather than in HUGO (god forbid) helped me weigh it up. Seen all before? yup. Would be angry if next chapter was as "lame"? yup again. Beats HUGO for happy kids outcome.....can't say for deffo....but if I were you looking for an Xmas treat for your children....NOT you...then you won't go TOO wrong. (seen in 3D) 6+/10
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  • ARCHGATE said...
    Posted on Dec 06 2011 09:31 An absolute joy. it's hard to make a good film. But this film still had me entertained from start to finish. and ... moments of genuine emotion.
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  • Del said...
    Posted on Dec 05 2011 16:23 Space prevented me from mentioning it but yes, Ian, the Sylvester & Tweetie short beforehand is a cracker. A classic slice of anarchic humour in the Chuck Jones mould.
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  • mahmud said...
    Posted on Dec 04 2011 13:24 watched da film last night and i am disappointed.
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  • Ian said...
    Posted on Dec 03 2011 16:51 The review is bang on the button. It is poor. There is no plot to talk of and whilst it looks stunning in places the krill apart this is a huge disappointment. Robin Wlliams characters regurgitate naff laughs and cliches from the first film more than the penguins regurgitate fish. The best bit in the film is actually before the film in the 3D Silvester and Tweety Pie cartoon. Much better 3D images and a classic Warner Bros cartoon. Mel Blanc must be turning in his grave if this is the best Warner Brothers can come up with in animation.
    Not really worth 2 stars but the pre film cartoon drags the "experience" up from 1 and a bit to 2 stars. If you have kids go see either Hugo or Arthur Chrsitmas. You will all enjoy them much more.
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  • Ian said...
    Posted on Nov 29 2011 20:45 Having seen the trailers I had a fear that the film would be as poor as the review states. The very heavy hints at rap and gangsta "urban" music and dance moves in the trailers hint at a film aimed more at 12 to 16 year old than the first film which was more of a family film.
    I wasn't sure whether to go and see it before am now more convinced to give this a miss.
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Cast & crew

Director: George Miller

Genre(s): Children's, Comedy

Rated: U

Duration: 103 mins

UK Release: Dec 2 2011




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