Tappity-tap-tap
After much bated breath I witnessed Happy Feet, and came out quite excited by the prospect that I could be the next tap dog/penguin. This film definitely lived up to the amount of hype that I had been exposed to, and may well have extended it.
Being part of the animated generation, I witnessed CGI take off with Woody and Buzz, Shrek and Fiona, and now into this dancing musical about emperor penguins. Yet, in all this animation wizardry, we only learnt so much:
- Ogres are like parfait and onions
- The mouth of a pelican is a safe place if you’re worried about seagulls
How many of these movies not only gave us a laugh, but also taught us something real about the world? Something really real. The media, being a method by which we procure information, is always in a powerful position: it can show us the truth or hide it. Certainly music stars exercise their power, and try to change the world from the stage. But what about a movie? Does a kids film have any social or moral obligation? If not before, they do now. To be fair, Ice Age 2 made inferences towards the problem of global warming, but it would easily be missed by many.
Happy Feet is eager to educate its viewers upon the plight of a species that depends upon fish to survive, and what happens when we as humans interfere in the natural balance of the world… and does so in a way that an 8 year old can understand it. I almost felt like that as the penguins tried to communicate to humans in an interpretative dance, that the film makers were speaking to us as the penguins; hoping, praying, wish that somehow, we’d understand and pick up on it. I suppose the people watching the film will be the decision makers of the next generation; which is a reasonably good sign for the cause.
I hope that this at least sends the signal to other animated film makers, that you can do a great fun movie, full of singing and dancing, and still send a serious message home too. What is the phrase? With great power, comes great responsibility, and with great responsibility, comes great amounts of chocalata!
animation, cgi, film, fishing, happy feet, penguins Find similar posts: film
Use a trackback
January 6th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Its not really a serious message when it took one tap dancing penguin to spark worldwide conferences that ceased all fishing in arctic zones.. Wasn’t it only a couple of days ago that american politicians had their very first discussion about polar bears dying and global warming? To live up to my role of pessimist I think the ‘fishing kills cute fluffy singing penguins’ msg of Happy Feet will perhaps cause a worldwide lack of enthusiam amongst 8 yr olds to go fishing with their dads, thus leading to further break down of the family unit, thus leading to more delinquency.
All said, Happy Feet is musically a fun movie, and the fluffball with the blue eyes is certainly cute.
Oh, and theyre seagulls, not pigeons.
January 7th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Haha, I had it as seagulls and pigeons at first, thanks for pointing it out, fixed now
As for American politicians, considering what they have to deal with, I guess some ‘counter-media-effort’ by Happy Feet may well promote some discussion!
Hmm @ pessimistic viewpoint..
Maybe it will lead to the decline of fishing between 8 year olds and their Dads, but maybe instead it will promote greater activities to be shared amongst 8 year olds and both their parents, and hence, promotion of the family unit!
January 7th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
OMG! Did you know that the idea for finding your heartsong came from a young boy named Mattie Stepanek who passed away a few years ago after suffering from muscular dystrophy. He wrote a few books and tried to spread the message of peace and love before his death. I really liked Mattie - real cutie. I LOVE Happy Feet! But I told you that already.
It helps that i super love penguins - but was oh so sad through most of the movie. It really does send out a good message and I love that it has a happy ending. One that we need to see more of!
Love you bubba
January 7th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Won’t pretend that I got anything out of the movie other than an extremely good time!! I don’t generally go to see that sort of movie to end up philosophizing about it, but your write up about it was interesting to say the least =) I was too amused with the movie to find the deeper meaning honestly.. being that I am a music/dance freak, that was my only focus! Sooooooooooo good wow =D Definitely one to purchase when it comes out. Speaking of which, I can’t find V for Vendetta anywhere! So if you see it/hear of it coming out, let me know! Thanks. And come get your xmas present! Or maybe we’ll bring it to you. But when was the last time we ventured to Mosman? haha.. Want to go to the beach next sat/sun if it’s good weather? We went yesterday, very relaxing
Althought we got a little burnt 
Anyway, take care, cool site!
nessa
January 7th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Hmm one more thing to bring it back to the subject in question, I did like how they made Mumble with a defect or 2.. and how he made a huge difference. Coz really how many of us felt ‘different’ when we were young and impressionable. Such a feel good movie for me, can only imagine how much more of a feel good it would be for that ‘different’ kid who is now inspired to do something he thought he couldn’t before!
January 9th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
@Marta
I didn’t know about the origin of the heartsongs no… but I guess with 3 penguin movies out around the same time, you must be happy
@Eystia
I have a copy of V for ya btw!
So true about being the ‘different kid’, I still feel like one now