Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soulmates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!
Directors: George Miller, co-directors: Warren Coleman, Judy Morris.
Stars: Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams.
Kelley Abbey ... choreographer / motion capture principal performer
Savion Glover ... choreographer: Mumble / motion capture principal performer
Chantal Robson ... assistant choreographer
Wade Robson ... choreographer
~40 songs in the Soundtracks.
Delightful!
Great start with NK singing Prince's Kiss and HJ answering with Heartbreak Hotel ala Elvis, then both blending them. (Note to self: look for her to behave as Marilyn Monroe; character named Norma Jean, and rights permission was noted in the credits. NJ is Mumble's mother.) Also, later, excellent use of lots of songs, especially Queen's Somebody To Love by Gloria (Mumble's gf) and ensemble.
I was skeptical that the dancing would come through, but it does. Mumble really moves like SG; not so for others. And the sound of the taps is, er, cool, given that it's bare feet on ice/snow.
Looks amazingly realistic.
Good danger sequences when faced with predators. Good motion sequences when sliding down steep slopes and diving underwater.
Heavy-handed anti-industrial-fishing message, but today's news headline included "Antarctica melting 6 times faster than in the 1980s", so I doubt that anything is heavy enough.
Very expressive faces and bodies.
I didn't find a dvd with any documentary on how the motion capture became animation, nor even a c.track. The extras included are more geared to children.
Rated 6.5 (154,398)
Warner & more, dir. Miller; 8
