Review of Happy Feet Two (2011) by Maksim B — 27 Feb 2012

An attempt to repeat the marvelous success of Happy Feet, this second installment may be a pure pleasure in terms of animation, but it crashes hard in terms of originality, fun and inspirational story. Although most of us would be charmed by the characters, just as we were 5 years ago, the charm of the whole movie is lost somewhere under the deep snow of the South Pole.

Cleary, director George Miller and Warner Bros. have tried to cash in as much as possible exploring the surprising 500 $ Million success of the first movie. By using the same formula, but adding more music, more beautifully animated landscapes, more of everything, they have tried to succeed. Unfortunately this has resulted in a disappointment for those who really admired Happy Feet. Within the main plot, the audience is introduced to multiple sub-plot lines, including the building up of father-son relationship and the proof that sometimes even the efforts of the smallest could matter. Instead of adding a further emotional value to the animation, the multiple plots contribute to the chaotic story-telling and the impossibility to truly build up the tension and the drama around the disaster that the Emperor Penguins face.

In addition to this, Will The Krill and Bill The Krill are a total mismatch for this Happy Feet 2. With nothing meaningful as a message, only the voices of Brad Pitt and Matt Damon their presence reminds of the Ice Age squirrel but in a way far from being funny.

For the rest of the cast it could be said that together with the beautiful animation they are the second reason for seeing George Miller's movie. Special attention should be paid to Robin Williams as Ramon who is probably the funniest part in the whole movie (especially when he jumps in the blocked valley shouting all his names...). Unfortunately two positive features could not safe the movie from being a disappointment.

Happy Feet 2 is worth-seeing only if you are in the mood to accept a mediocre animated delivery. It lacks the wonderful heart and the inspirational story of the original, and if you have had high expectations prior to seeing it the disappointment would be guaranteed.