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Statement on man's hold over nature

Happy Feet (English)

Director: George Miller

Voice Cast: Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, Hugo Weaving, Brittany Murphy, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams

At first glance, a fluffy animated comedy about Emperor Penguins seems an unlikely subject for George Miller — director of the dystopic "Mad Max" series, the quirky "Babe: Pig In The City" and the gut-wrenching medical drama "Lorenzo's Oil". And, considering the warm, mushy treatment that these creatures received in last year's "March of the Penguins", one goes in expecting the worst.

Barely minutes into the movie, the male penguin, Memphis (Hugh Jackman), drops his egg. And although much hilarity and celebration follows, this little snippet sets the tone for the rest of the film. Unlike every other Emperor Penguin, whose heart song is his greatest asset, little Mumble (with the voice of Elijah Wood and the magical feet of Savion Glover) can dance.

And although there are many that think this makes him special, including his mother Norma Jean (a breathy Monroe imitation from Nicole Kidman) and the Hispanic-sounding Adelie Penguins (including a superb-as-usual Robin Williams), the elders decided he is an aberration best banished from the tribe. Hugo Weaving, playing a Noah the Elder that is as chilling as his Mr. Smith, sends Mumble away. Eventually, Mumble earns the respect of his tribe and the love of his mate Gloria (Brittany Murphy).

Under the surface, however, the feet are anything but happy. More than anything else, "Happy Feet" is, in truth, a lucid, powerful statement on the kind of havoc we humans have wreaked on the rest of the planet.

In both Mumble's near insignificance to the juggernaut that is the fishing industry, and his circus animal-like state in the marine enclosure, Miller wonderfully creates a disturbing image of humanity's uncaring, iron dominance over the environment.

Rakesh Mehar

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