"Happy Feet" a heartwarming tale

By Heather Papendorf
The Collegian

“Happy Feet” begins in Antarctica with a congregation of Emperor penguins. These particular penguins can sing like nothing you have ever heard, they entertain you with songs by Prince, Queen, The Beatles and the Beach Boys.

Not all talent is passed down by generations. One penguin in particular that goes by the name of Mumbles (played by Elijah Wood) has to be the worst singer in the world. He squeaks like no other and he is looked down upon among his fellow penguins because songs are such an important aspect of their lives .

It’s called “heartsong” and Mumbles lacks that, as well as maturity, because Mumbles never quite molted like his contemporaries. Not only does he sound weird, but he looks weird too. Mumbles is the “ugly duckling.”

Mumbles is an outcast, he looks different and sounds different. The one thing Mumbles can do is tap-dance and he’s good at it — watch out Justin Timberlake.

Dancing puts him, as well as everyone who truly loves him, in high spirits. It makes him genuinely happy. The pure happiness Mumbles displayed makes the movie so much more enjoyable.

Mumbles’ joy of dancing takes him on many different journeys throughout the movie.

Along the way he meets five Rockhopper penguins, the “Amigos,” who instantly take him in and idolize his great dance moves. Together the group has close encounters with killer whales, a leopard seal and humans.

The “Amigos” and Mumbles became the best of friends and they accept each other for who the are.

Love is unconditional and Mumbles, his friends and mother, Norma Jean (played by Nicole Kidman) display just that.

We all struggle through life; some of us bully our way through, others just fit the mold, and some go the rough way through and stand by their true self.

“Happy Feet” takes you back to your childhood, it makes you reevaluate the moves you made in life.

In every aspect, “Happy Feet” is lots of fun, many laughs and many deep thoughts. It’s a movie all can enjoy and all can learn from.

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