HAPPY FEET [2006 / 2007] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] WARNING: May Cause Toe-Tapping! A Triumphant, Playful, and Deeply Spiritual Animation Classic!
Emperor penguins are born to sing. All except young Mumble [Elijah Wood], who was born to dance . . . tap dance. Such un-penguin-like behaviour eventually gets Mumble kicked out of the Emperor Land and into the big, cold world. Joined by his Adélie Amigos penguins and all-knowing Rockhopper penguin named Lovelace [Robin Williams]. Mumble embarks on an epic journey and ultimately proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world! A P-P-Perfect treat and you won’t just have Happy Feet; you’ll have a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy glow. Narrated by Robin Williams.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2006 Awards Circuit Community Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature [Runner-Up]. 2006 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2006 Golden Schmoes Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Movie of the Year. 2006 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Animation for Judy Morris (co-director) George Miller and Warren Coleman (co-director). 2006 New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2006 New York Film Critics, Online: Win: NYFCO Award for Best Animated Feature. 2006 Satellite Awards: Nominated: Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media. 2006 St. Louis Film Critics Association, USA: Nominated: SLFCA Award for Best Animated or Children's Film for George Miller. 2006 Toronto Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2006 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Animated Feature. 2006 Women Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Animated Female for Brittany Murphy and Nicole Kidman. 2007 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Animated Feature Film of the Year for George Miller. 2007 Golden Globes: Win: Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Prince for the song "The Song of the Heart," Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2007 BAFTA Awards: Win: BAFTA Film Award for Best Animated Feature Film for George Miller. Nominated: Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music for John Powell. 2007 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Animated Film. 2007 AFI Awards, USA: Win: Movie of the Year. 2007 Annie Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature for Warner Bros. Nominated: Best Writing in an Animated Feature Production for George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman. 2007 Australian Film Institute: Win: Global Achievement Award for George Miller. 2007 Australian Screen Sound Guild: Win: ASSG Award for Feature Film Soundtrack of the Year for Big Bang Sound and Wayne Pashley. 2007 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Soundtrack. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Animated Feature. 2007 Genesis Awards: Win: Outstanding Animated Family Feature. 2007 Gold Derby Awards: Nominated: Animated Feature. 2007 Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Prince (artist/songwriter) for the song "Song Of The Heart." 2007 Gran Premio Internazionale del Doppiaggio: Win: Film Award for Best Cartoon Voice for Massimo Lopez for the voice of Ramòn. Nominated: Audience Award for Best Voice Actor for Stefano Crescentini for the voice of Mambo. Nominated: Best Animated Film. Nominated: Best Dubbing Mixing for Gianni Pallotto. 2007 IF Awards: Win for Box Office Achievement. 2007 International Film Music Critics Award: Win: Best Original Score for an Animated Film for John Powell. 2007 International Online Cinema Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature for George Miller. 2007 Italian Online Movie Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature Film (Miglior film d'animazione). 2007 Kids' Choice Awards, USA: Win: Blimp Award for Favorite Animated Movie. 2007 Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA: Nominated: Golden Reel Award: Best Sound Editing Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR for Feature Film Animation for Wayne Pashley (supervising sound designer/sound editor), Fabian Sanjurjo (supervising sound effects editor), Sonal Joshi (supervising dialogue editor), Thomas A. Carlson (music editor), Simon Leadley (music editor), Tim Ryan (music editor), Angus Robertson (sound effects editor), Damian Candusso (sound effects editor), Derryn Pasquill (sound effects editor), Rick Lisle (sound effects editor), Nick Breslin (dialogue/sound effects editor), Jenny T. Ward (dialogue editor), John Simpson (foley artist) and Jason Hancock (foley artist). 2007 National Movie Awards, UK: Nominated: Best Animation. 2007 Online Film & Television Association: Nominated: OFTA Film Award for Best Animated Picture for Bill Miller, Doug Mitchell and George Miller. 2007 Online Film Critics Society Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature. 2007 PGA Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures for Bill Miller, Doug Mitchell and George Miller. 2007 World Soundtrack Awards: Nominated: Soundtrack Composer of the Year for John Powell. 2008 Grammy Awards: Nominated: Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for John Powell. Nominated: Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Prince (artist/songwriter) for the song "Song Of The Heart." 2007 Visual Effects Society Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture for Carl Prud'homme, Damien Gray and Tim Gibson for "Mumble's Banishment."
FILM FACT No.2: ‘HAPPY FEET’ is a jukebox musical, taking previously recorded songs and working them into the film's soundtrack to fit with the mood of the scene or character. Two soundtrack albums were released for the film; one containing songs from and inspired by the film, and another featuring John Powell's instrumental score. They were released on the 31st October, 2006 and the 19th December, 2006 respectively. The song "Song of the Heart" was written by Prince specifically for ‘HAPPY FEET’ shortly after he was given a private screening of the film in order to gain his approval for the use of his song "Kiss" in a musical number. Prince enjoyed the film, gave his approval for the use of "Kiss" and offered to write an original song for the production, which he completed a week later.
Voice Cast: Carlos Alazraqui [Nestor], Lombardo Boyar [Raul], Jeffrey Garcia [Rinaldo], Johnny A. Sanchez [Lombardo], Robin Williams [Ramon / Lovelace], Elijah Wood [Elijah Wood], Brittany Murphy [Gloria], Hugh Jackman [Memphis], Nicole Kidman [Norma Jean], Hugo Weaving [Noah the Elder], Elizabeth G. Daily [Baby Mumble], Magda Szubanski [Miss Viola], Miriam Margolyes [Mrs. Astrakhan], Fat Joe [Seymour], Alyssa Shafer [Baby Gloria], Cesar Flores [Baby Seymour], Anthony LaPaglia [Boss Skua], Danny Mann [Dino / Zoo Penguin], Mark Klastorin [Vinnie], Michael Cornacchia [Frankie], Steve Irwin [Trev], Nicholas McKay [Nev], Tiriel Mora [Kev], Richard Carter [Barry / Live Action Cast], Lee Perry [Elder / Zoo Penguin], Alan Shearman [Elder], Larry Moss [Elder], Peter Carroll [Elder], Giselle Loren [Adélie Chica], Michelle Arthur [Adélie Chica], Denise Blasor [Adélie Chica], Dee Bradley Baker [Maurice], Roger Rose [Leopard Seal], Chrissie Hynde [Michelle], Arif S. Kinchen [Skuas], Charlotte Gillman [Live Action Cast], Warren Coleman [Live Action Cast], Felix Williamson [Live Action Cast], Carly Andrews [Live Action Cast], Cassandra Swaby [Live Action Cast], Winston Cooper [Live Action Cast], Henry Nixon [Live Action Cast], Kelly Tracey [Live Action Cast], Yann Le Berre [Live Action Cast], Belinda Bromilow [Live Action Cast], Alan Zitner [Live Action Cast], Dasi Ruz [Live Action Cast], Helmut Bakaitis [Live Action Cast], Simon Westaway [Live Action Cast], J. Grant Albrecht (voice), Logan Arens (voice), Charles Bartlett (voice), Shane Baumel (voice), Taylor J. Beacom (voice), Kwesi Boakye (voice), A.J. Buckley (voice), Erin Chambers (voice), Rickey D'Shon Collins (voice), Scott E. Cox (voice), Django Craig (voice), Nicholas DeLaurentis (voice), Olivia DeLaurentis (voice), Chris Edgerly (voice), Efrain Figueroa (voice), Jeff Fischer (voice), Sonje Fortag (voice), Spencer Lacey Ganus Khamani Griffin (voice), Khadijah Haqq (voice), Aldis Hodge (voice), Fisher Keene (voice), Michael Krepack (voice), Libby Lynch (voice), Diane Michelle (voice), Ryan Munck (voice), Christian Pikes (voice), Steve Pinto (voice), Zoë Raye (voice), Noreen Reardon (voice), Eliana Reyes (voice), Nicole Richmond (voice), Aimee Roldan (voice), Kyndell Rose Crowell (voice), Alyssa Smith (voice), Mari Weiss (voice), Billy 'Sly' Williams (voice), Rachel York (voice), Seishirô Katô (Baby Mumble voice), Eli King (voice), Jack Angel (Male Penguin voice) (uncredited), Mikaila Baumel (Baby Penguin voice) (uncredited), Rodger Bumpass (Male Penguin voice) (uncredited), Bill Farmer (Male Penguin voice) (uncredited), Phil Proctor (Male Penguin voice) (uncredited), Craig Ricci Shaynak (Additional Voices) (uncredited) and Jean-Pierre Yerma (Advisor to the Russian Diplomat voice) (uncredited)
Directors: George Miller, Judy Morris (co-director) and Warren Coleman (co-director)
Producers: Bill Miller, Bruce Berman, Dana Goldberg, Doug Mitchell, Ed Jones, George Miller, Graham Burke, Hael Kobayashi, Judy Morris, Philip Hearnshaw, Matthew Ferro, Martin Wood, Michael Twigg and Warren Coleman
Screenplay: George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman
Composer: John Powell
Cinematography: David Peers (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio Descriptive Service
English: 5.1 LPCM Dolby Digital Audio
Dutch [Netherlands]: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Dutch [Vlaams]: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH English, Dutch [Netherlands] and Dutch [Vlaams]
Running Time: 108 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Warner Home Video / Village Roadshow Pictures
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘HAPPY FEET’ [2006] brings the world of Emperor Penguins to life on the big screen through breath-taking CGI computer animation like never seen before. In the great nation of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica, community is all important. You have to know how to huddle together against the cold, or march to the sea to catch fish for the family. During mating season, the male and female penguins are attracted to each other by their "Heart Songs." Every penguin has a song that is his or her distinctive identity. It's the "voice you hear inside" that makes you "who you truly are."
When Norma Jean [Nicole Kidman] and Memphis [Hugh Jackman] meet, and he is attracted to her wiggle and her soulful singing. Norma Jean loves his self-confidence and Elvis-like crooning. When Norma Jean heads off to the sea with the other females, Memphis, unfortunately, has a minor mishap with their egg. When it is time for their chick to be born, he takes longer than the others to crack out of his egg. Baby Gloria tries to help and is there to witness his strange behaviour. The baby penguin, named Mumble [Elijah Wood], can't seem to keep his feet still. He jumps all over on the icy ground. Instead of being proud of his new son, Memphis is bothered by his "happy feet." He says: "It just ain't penguin." Others see it too, and as the months pass, the whole community decides that Mumble is an oddball. Worse still, he can't sing at all, and, as the saying goes, "a penguin without a “Heart song” is not a penguin at all."
Norma Jean and Memphis send him to a voice teacher, but all she can get out of him is an unappealing screech. Off by himself, where he can let his happy feet tap dance across the ice, Mumble meets Boss Skua [Anthony LaPaglia], head of a gang of menacing birds who want to make lunch of him. The penguin gets him to tell the story of being abducted by aliens who poked and probed him and then put a yellow thing around his leg. Mumble escapes from them but keeps this strange news to himself.
Soon it is time for the young penguins to go to the sea for their first catch. Mumble is actually the first one in the water, which turns out to harbour some dangerous creatures and too few fish. Mumble demonstrates his love for Gloria [Brittany Murphy] by catching a fish for her and fighting off some greedy birds to keep it. That night, under the stars, she leads a concert and he tries to sing along, much to the consternation of all the others. Soon after, Mumble sets off alone.
Wandering the icy wastelands, Mumble meets the Adélie Amigos penguins, a group of five happy-go-lucky Latino penguins who find his moves "so accidentally cool." Ramon [Robin Williams], the most outspoken one, even calls Mumble charismatic. The Emperor Penguin at last has found friends who respect him and his dancing feet. They come up with a plan to help him win Gloria's heart. But back home, Noah [Hugo Weaving], one of the elders, condemns Mumble's dancing and blames him for the loss of fish in the sea. Noah bans the young penguin from the community. Mumble vows to find out the true reason for the fish scarcity.
The Adélie Amigos penguins tell Mumble about a guru penguin called Lovelace who answers all questions. He asks him about alien abductions, but his response about mystic beings on a forbidden shore doesn't make much sense. This quirky character has a plastic six-pack ring around his neck that is slowly strangling him. Deciding this strange thing may be a clue, Mumble, and the Adélie Amigos penguins, and Lovelace set off to the place where he found it, a quest that will test their resilience and camaraderie.
George Miller, who co-wrote, produced and directed ‘HAPPY FEET,’ brings the same creativity, exuberance, and spiritual élan to this animated feature as he did to Babe. He has incorporated so many imaginative elements into the story that it boggles the mind. First, there is the exciting music, which includes rock, funk, opera, rap, liturgical, pop, gospel, and Latin. The music is composed by John Powell, and the soundtrack also includes songs performed by Prince, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia Barrino, Gia Farrell, Chrissie Hynde, Patti LaBelle, k.d. lang, Jason Mraz, and Pink. Second, there is the glorious dancing by the penguins. These scenes have been choreographed by Warren Coleman who brings together many styles including Zulu, gumboot, Navajo, and Samoa slap dancing.
The music and the dance bring out the yearning we have all had to move the body in sync with the rhythms of the earth. The grand finale of Mumble's quest brings him into an encounter with the world of humans and a connection that justifies all his struggles to remain faithful to his true self. The ecological crisis captured in the story of the disappearing fish is finally addressed with an inspiring message that couldn't be timelier: We have so much more in common with the whole Creation than we know, and our survival — and theirs — depends upon our celebrating that deep truth.
In a nutshell, ‘HAPPY FEET’ is about being oneself in spite of the criticisms against being different from the majority, and, in the process finding one’s place to belong while fulfilling a greater purpose of being a unique individual. While it is a movie with well-grounded ethical and environmental advocacies, ‘HAPPY FEET’ is a highly entertaining audio-visual experience for everyone. Its story was told in a way that the viewers would see the two sides of a conflict that revolve around the subject of utilization of natural resources and the consequences that come along, i.e. pollution of the environment.
As a result, viewers are not only educated on the life of penguins, which is heavily based on observable behaviours of the actual penguins. We are also able to self-insert into the characters and relate with the characters’ thoughts and dialogues. Overall, the animated film’s point outside all the amusement is clear. We should start caring and acting now than later. That is, if we still want to see singing and dancing penguins in the future instalments of ‘HAPPY FEET’ and, better yet, just want to let them sing and dance with secure food supply and glee in their own habitat to have a truly happy ending.
Nevertheless, as an example of an animated film that transcends its childlike origins and becomes a very thoughtful, well-crafted animated film that also appeals to intelligent adults, Hollywood rarely does better than ‘HAPPY FEET.’ Perhaps owing to its non-American origins, the great strength of the movie is ultimately its refusal to treat children as infinitely breakable beings who deserve nothing more than a reassuring pat on the head. While ‘HAPPY FEET’ provides all the adventure and humour you could possible ask for from an outstanding animated film, the animated film deserves not just our praise, but our thanks. In the end ‘HAPPY FEET’ will make your feet tap right up until the end of the animated film and will take you on a fantastic emotional journey, get the Kleenex tissues handy.
HAPPY FEET MUSIC TRACK LISTING
GOLDEN SLUMBERS (Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney) [Performed by k.d. lang]
I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU (Written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren)
WITH A SONG IN MY HEART (Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart)
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD (Written by Stevie Wonder) [Performed by P!nk]
ONLY YOU (and You Alone) (Written by Buck Ram and Ande Rand)
UNCHAINED MELODY (Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret)
WHERE IS THE LOVE (Written by Ralph MacDonald and William Salter)
Vesti la Giubba from "Pagliacci" (Written by Ruggero Leoncavallo)
KISS (Written by Prince) [Performed by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman]
HELLO (Written by Lionel Richie)
BROKEN WINGS (Written by Richard Page, John Lang and Steve George)
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX (Written by Hurby 'Luv Bug' Azor "Fingerprints")
GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN’ (Written by Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Dusty Hill)
HEARTBREAK HOTEL (Written by Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden and Elvis Presley) [Performed by Hugh Jackman]
NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE (Written by Clifton Davis)
CHANTILLY LACE (Written by The Big Bopper)
THE MESSAGE (Written by Sylvia Robinson, Melle Mel, Clifton 'Jiggs' Chase and Duke Bootee) [Performed by Fat Joe]
BOOGIE WONDERLAND (Written by Jon Lind and Allee Willis) [Performed by Brittany Murphy]
OTCHI TCHOR NI YA (Written by Public Domain) [Performed by Judy Morris]
I WISH (Written by Stevie Wonder) [Performed by Stevie Wonder]
IN MY ROOM (Written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher) [Performed by Elizabeth Daily and The Sydney Children's Choir]
JUMP N’ MOVE (Written by Jan Kincaid, Simon Bartholomew, Andrew Levy and Jamal-Ski) [Performed by The Brand New Heavies featuring Jamal-Ski]
DO IT AGAIN (Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love) [Performed by The Beach Boys]
SOMEBODY TO LOVE (Written by Freddie Mercury) [Performed by Brittany Murphy]
THAT’S THE WAY (I Like It) (Written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch)
CANDELA (Written by Sandy Cariello and Pavel De Jesus) [Performed by Da Madd Dominikans]
LET’S ALL SING LIKE THE BIRDIES SING (Written by Tolchard Evans, Stanley Damerell and Robert Hargreaves)
NO SCRUBS (Written by Kevin 'She'kspere' Briggs, Kandi Burruss and Tiny Harris) [Performed by Lizette Carter]
I’LL MAKE LOVE TO YOU (Written by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds)
SHAKE YOUR BON BON (Written by Draco Rosa, Desmond Child and George R. Noriega)
MY WAY (Comme d'Habitude) (Music by Claude François and Jacques Revaux) (French lyrics by Gilles Thibaut) (English lyrics by Paul Anka) (Spanish translation by Germaine Franco / Daniel Lerner) [Vocal intro by Dan Navarro] [Performed by Robin Williams sic]
BABY GOT BACK (Written by Sir Mix A Lot aka Anthony L. Ray)
CUI CUI (Written by Xavier Cugat and Fausto Curbelo)
ADELIE RAP/ADELIE BRIDGE (Written by Edgar Garcia p/k/a Paco, Germaine Franco, Daniel Lerner and John Powell)
LEADER OF THE PACK (Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Shadow Morton aka George Morton) [Performed by Dan Navarro]
IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW (Written by Peter Cetera)
THE END (Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney) [Performed by k.d. lang]
I WISH (Written by Stevie Wonder) [Performed by Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia Barrino]
THE SONG OF THE HEART (Written by Prince) (Produced by Prince) [Performed by Prince]
HIT ME UP (Written by KNS Productions and Gia Farrell) [Performed by Gia Farrell]
EVERYTHING I OWN (Written by David Gates) [Performed by Chrissie Hynde]
THE JOKER (Written by Steve Miller, Eddie Curtis and Ahmet Ertegun) [Performed by Jason Mraz]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Home Video presents you the animated film ‘HAPPY FEET’ with stunning 1080p colourful images, and with an equally impressive 2.40:1 aspect ratio, so making a great combination. The actual transfer is excellent with the picture looking very sharp, having a great use of Technicolor and with beautiful-looking characters and there is not one blemish in the image resolution to slowly getting towards realism. With nearly continuous brightly lit snow-filled scenes demanding a wide range of intricate details. ‘HAPPY FEET’ manages to be both vibrant and eye-popping, while maintaining a solid black level foundation. Smooth and subtle graduations are presented without any artefacts from baby blue skies to slight shifts in the near-but-not-quite white used to depict ice and snow.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Home Video brings you this ‘HAPPY FEET’ Blu-ray disc with a really excellent 5.1 Dolby Digital EX Surround sound experience. The music and dialogue really sound clear against the ambient soundtrack. One of the best effects is when there is a collapse of an ice shelf into the water and in the passing of the fishing boat, whilst both those scenes also demonstrate the use of the rear channels effortlessly. There is good separation between the right and left channels, particularly with the frequent use of songs when the soundtrack shifts to the front. It’s a very busy mix, with a complete and full soundstage that encompasses all channels, with particular attention focused on the rears. I heard absolutely no background noise, peaking, distortion or other disconcerting blips throughout the entire animated film.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Behind the Story: HAPPY FEET: Creating the Tap [2007] [480p] [1.37:1] [4:22] Here we get a personal insight of behind-the-scenes of the animated film ‘HAPPY FEET’ and how all those Penguins got such toe tapping Happy Feet via the CGI computer animation. Here we get to view the brilliant tap dancer going through his paces and especially his brilliant tap dancing routine while at the same time the sound engineer is capturing the sound of the tap dancing, and we also see the other dancers being put through their tap dancing routine while filmed via the capture-motion that eventually ends up as CGI animated penguins. Seeing everyone doing their tap dancing routine, makes you want to get up and do the same, it is that infectious. Contributors include George Miller [Director/Co-Writer/Producer], Savion Glover [Dancer/Co-Choreographer] and Kelley Abbey [Choreographer].
Special Feature: Behind the Scenes of HAPPY FEET: Tapping into ‘HAPPY FEET’ [2007] [480p] [1.37:1] [13:02] Here we get another insight of behind-the-scenes of Magic Moviemaking revealed. Here everyone talks about their penguin characters and what they wanted to bring to their personalities to the screen, as well as talking about how the songs connected to the characters in a special way, as music is really special in this animated film. It is also pointed out how the Mumble character was definitely the odd one out of all the penguins in a special way, which Mumble was initially rejected in a very big way, which gave him strength in so many ways and of course eventually Mumble brings everyone together in a very positive way. It is also pointed out that the animated film in a sense is angled towards the effects on the environment and its consequences in a big way. We also get a glimpse of the voice actors doing their recording session and throwing everything into their characters, especially the late great Robin Williams doing his usual over the top performance, which everyone loved. They all inform us they all had a brilliant time, and they also especially liked working with the director George Miller, as they saw how he threw himself into the project of the animated film in a very big way. All in all we are informed that the animated film is a great historic story. Contributors include George Miller [Director/Co-Writer/Producer], Hugh Jackman [Memphis], Brittany Murphy [Gloria], Elijah Wood [Mumble], Nicole Kidman [Norma Jean], Robin Williams [Ramon & Lovelace], Doug Mitchell [Producer], Savion Glover [Dancer/Co-Choreographer], Kelley Abbey [Choreographer] and Bill Miller [Producer].
Special Feature: Mumble Meets a Blue Whale [2007] [1080p] [2.40:1] [3:21] Here we get a personal introduction from director George Miller, who explains who explains that it features the late Steve Irwin as an albatross in a scene that was ultimately supplanted by Steve Irwin's actual moments in the final film where he played an elephant seal. In this animated short that was originally a deleted scene from ‘HAPPY FEET.’ In this short, there are only just three characters in the scene. Mumble is trying to chase the aliens from taking the fish when suddenly; he encounters a gigantic blue whale. An albatross passes by and tells him that blue whales are friends of the penguins and also tells him that the aliens might kill the whales too and the blue whale leaves Mumble alone to get on with his journey of discovery. A note appears at the end of the animation by Steve Irwin who says "If there's one thing I would want to be remembered for, its passion and enthusiasm. Conservation is my job, my life, my being." By the way, you can view this in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround.
Special Feature: A ‘HAPPY FEET’ Moment [2007] [1080p] [2.40:1] [0:31] When Mumble is looking into his reflection, Memphis shows up and starts using Mumble for no apparent reason with his football skills like if Mumble was a football. Once Memphis has demonstrated his football skills with Mumble as the football, Memphis kicks him off into the sea to score a “goal” and says "Yea."
Special Feature: FUN + GAMES: Here we get a selection of three separate features and they are as follows:
I Love to Singa [Warner Bros. Cartoon Classic] [1936] [480i] [1.33:1] [6:13] ‘I Love to Singa’ depicts the story of a very stern owl who teaches “voice, piano and violin, but no jazz!” and becomes a father of four. Very soon, three of his boys turn out to be musical talents in the classical repertoire. However, the fourth is not into classical music but into jazz. When he keeps singing jazz songs, the father decides that enough is too much and turns him into the street, much to the distress of the mother. While joyously walking and singing through the forest, the young son stumbles across a radio audition day and decides to try his luck. The short is one of the earliest Merrie Melodies produced in Technicolor's 3-strip process, is recognised as one of Tex Avery's early masterpieces. Voice Cast: Billy Bletcher, Tommy Bond, Johnnie Davis, Joe Dougherty, Bernice Hansen and Martha Wentworth. Producer: Leon Schlesinger. Composer: Norman Spencer.
Dance like a Penguin: Stomp to the Beat [2007] [480p] [1.37:1] [5:21] Here we take a Private Dance Lesson with Savion Glover [Dancer/Co-Choreographer] and the man behind the moves of Mumble. Once again we see the tap dancer go through his free style routine and informing us when doing the tape dancing you have to express your emotions, your hands, your body and especially your feet. We also get an insight on how to interpret the tap dancing routine by balance, Toe, Heal and Shuffle. But most importantly we are told that Balance is the key to good tap dancing. But we finally get to see a proper tap routine with the animated Mumble beside the Savion Glover. This is quite a nice little feature if you are thinking of starting tap dancing lessons.
Spanish Lessons [2007] [480p] [1.37:1] [5:09] Here we get to meet Carlos Alazraqui [Nestor], Lombardo Boyar [Raul], Jeffrey Garcia [Rinaldo] and Johnny A. Sanchez [Lombardo] who were the voices for the four smaller penguins that befriend Mumble. Here we are given some lessons in what the English words mean in Spanish and they are as follows: Happy Feet = Pies Felices; The Adelies = Los Adelias; Friends = Amigos!; Tall Boy = Grandulón; The Heartsong = Canción del Corazón; Hippity-Hopper = Torpe; Twinkle-Toes = Ligero de Pies; Love Stones = Piedras del Amor; Elephant Seal = Elefantes Marinos; Chicas = Chicas and Be Yourself = Sé tú Mismo.
Special Feature: Music Video: Here we get to view three separate music videos of the artists and they are as follows:
HIT ME UP [Performed by Gia Farrell] [2006] [480p] [1.37:1] [3:21]
THE SONG OF THE HEART [Performed by Prince] [2006] [480p] [1.37:1] [3:21]
SOMEBODY TO LOVE [Performed by Brittany Murphy] [2007] [480p] [1.37:1] [4:11]
Theatrical Trailer [2006] [1080p] [2.40:1] [1:21] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the animated film ‘HAPPY FEET.’ This is a totally brilliant presentation and definitely a slightly different departure from a normal theatrical trailer and of course it features the brilliant comic genius of the late great Robin Williams.
Finally, ‘HAPPY FEET’ is a truly adorable lovely animated film. Despite the controversy surrounding the film's eco-friendly message, I found it to be a very inspirational story about individuality first and foremost, be yourself despite all obstacles put in your way. It also boasts outstanding animation and top voice talent and Warner Home Video has certainly delivered a Blu-ray disc release with a fantastic 1080p image quality that alone should make it a must-purchase for any fans of this animated film like me. I thoroughly enjoyed the animated film, and I cannot argue with the outstanding image reference quality video. From a technical perspective, this Blu-ray disc is one of the best efforts from Warner Home Video yet delivered. The picture quality is pristine and awesome, as is the audio sound track experience. Overall, this is a Blu-ray disc that is definitely well worth adding to your collection if you want to enjoy a good animated film of the highest quality. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
