Hey folks, Valkor. And are you ready to get those flippers flappin and stretch those voice muscles till ya can't stands no more? Yea me neither. That's why the folks at Warner Home are bringing to the small screen one fantastical musical journey in the form of Happy Feet 2 Blu-Ray Combo Pack, to do the work for us. Though you may find it diffifult to not sing and dance along. The first film won me over from the jump, but can the second film perform the same feat? Let's find out!
Happy Feet Two brings back most of the cast from the first film (R.I.P. Brittany Murphy) and puts them into a whole new environmental situation as well as other learning experiences. This round we have a couple of stories that come together towards the end. First up we have Mumble (Elijah Wood), who has to deal with his son Eric (Ava Acres) who doesn't seem to understand why he has to sing and dance. Next we have two Krill – Will (Brad Pitt) and Bill (Matt Damon), who look to find their place in the world when they separate themselves from their swarm. Finally we have Sven (Hank Azaria), the Puffin who poses as a penguin... that can fly and now leads the Adelie Penguins once lead by the great Guru LoveLace (Robin Williams, who also does teh voice of Ramon). It is Sven who teaches Erik that if "if you want it, you must will it. If you will it, it will be yours". And Erik uses that message to teach others that you can overcome any obstacle, if you will it to be.
Throughout it all, Happy Feet tosses in an environmental message – Climate change is real and it's affecting the Arctic. So much so that due to the change a large iceberg arrives at Emperor Land, trapping all the Emperor penguins inside. And now all the Arctic animals – big and small, must band together to help clear a path so that the other Penguins can be set free, before the Scuba birds have a feast.
Between the music, dancing, life lessons, and fun the film introduces a new cast of characters as well as new voice to take on the role of Brittney Murphy's character "Gloria" – Alecia Moore aka P!nk, along with the return of previous favorites. There's newcomers Atticus (Benjamin "Lil P-nut" Flores"), Bryan the Elephant Seal (Richard Carter), Noah Elder (Hugo Weaving), Carmen (Sofia Vergara), parkour penguin Bo (Meihb Campbell), Seymour penguin (voiced by Common) and many more.
The Happy Feet Blu-Ray Combo Pack is stuffed features the first one missed out on. For starters you can choose between the BD, DVD, and UltraViolet digital copy of the film. Special features include:
- Helping Penguins and Pals - starring Lil P-Nut, we learn more about the animals of the Arctic.
- How to Draw a Penguin, music – We take a look at some storyboards and concept art of the film as well as learning how to draw some of the characters.
- Music videos and singalongs - The Mighty Sven, Papa Oom Mow Mow, and Bridge of Light get the spotlight.
- I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat – a blend of CGI mixed with Mel Blanc and June Foray's original soundtrack that's been remixed and remastered, creating one incredible cartoon
Finally there's the Happy Feet Two Movie App Second Screen, which will allow you to interact with the film in a whole new way. At this time the App isn't available, but I'll update this article once I get a chance to check it out.
And now as I channel the spirit of Guru LoveLace – BEHOLD MAH BROTHERS AND SISTERS… let us ruminate… whilst I illuminate you all in the TOV Breakdown.
The Good:
Happy Feet Two is the perfect companion to the first film. This second outing offers some new tunes, some new casts, a crazy story that offers up multiple plot lines, but it's not a complete mess as it all comes together at the end. The film teaches plenty of lessons, including environmental, but the message I took away from the film is that everyone plays a part – no matter how big or small you are. The CGI gets taken up a notch as the film is just beautiful to look at. The animation is very fluid and the backdrops are very picturesque. The music is top-notch, maybe not as stand outish as the first, but daaaaaamn is it good kicking things off with Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" and droppin off renditions such as "Sexy Back", We Are The Champions", and I'll be damned even the "Numa Numa" song gets its shot. The film features an amazing voice cast, but stand out goes to Hank Azaria as The Mighty Sven who is a show stealer and lots of laughs, which I would call an accomplishment with Robin Williams hamming it up. I love P!nk, who makes for a suitable replacement for Murphy, though I will miss that "squeek" in MUrphy's voice. Overall I think everyone and I mean every voice was amazing and suitable to the character they represent. Finally that ending – all of the Arctic animals from the tiny Krill to the large Elephant Seals, coming together to save the trapped Emperor Penguins to the tune of "Pressure"… bad ass!
The Bad:
I felt the scene where the humans arrive to assist the penguins was a bit of a waste and completely unnecessary since as quick as they arrive, they had to bolt just as fast due to a fierce snow storm.
The Ugly:
N/A
Happy Feet Two Blu-Ray Combo Pack is available March 13th and if you're a fan of the first film, then you'll wanna keep that groove flowing by picking up this wonderful sequel. It's magical, musical, toe-tappin experience you'll enjoy again and again. So out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving this one a 4.5 and it's gotta the Valkor/TOV groove of approval. Shake ya tail feathers, y'all!
