Director George Miller, the man behind the Babe movies, shakes things up with this fantastic and heart-warming family film that is as warm as hot cocoa. And you’ll need it, as you’re heading to chilling Antarctica, land of Emperor penguins.

Mumble (voiced by the lovable Elijah Wood), was born different from the start- he has blue eyes, and a pair of feet that make ‘magic’. However, in a land why voices are key, Mumble can hardly sing a note, which makes his mother Norma Jean (Nicole Kidman), and father Memphis (Hugh Jackman) worry, as they are afraid that he’ll never find his one true love without a heart song. To make matters worse, Mumble’s childhood sweetheart, Gloria (Brittany Murphy), is the best singer around.

Fortunately, Mumble meets the Adelie Amigos, a band of wise-cracking Adelie penguins with Mexican accents. The leader and the smallest one of them all, Ramon (Robin Williams), has faith in Mumble and likes him for who he is.

When Mumble is accused of driving away the fish because of his ‘freakishness’, he sets of with the Adelie Amigos and Lovelace, a rockhopper penguin (also voiced by Robin Williams) to find out what has happened to the fish.

I found this movie truly amazing, with its panoramic shots of the ice from bird’s eye view and the sing-and-dance sequences which were completely fantastic! Mumble and the Adelie Amigos’ adventures were an absolute blast! When the young penguins first learn to swim, there is a breathtaking underwater ballet sequence, with the bubble trails in the water lay out the complex patterns. The soundtrack was simply genius with melodic and catchy tunes. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Brittany Murphy and Robin Williams do all their singing. The acting is solid and the animation dynamic- from cute to powerful (dramatic, occasionally dark, commanding) in a second.

I admire George Miller’s adventurous style as he has certainly taken risks in this animated film, added a dramatic edge and gone where no other animated film has ever dared to. It’s a bold move, tackling socially important statements such as pollution than just remaining foot-loose and fancy-free.

There is more than just one message to convey in this film which I think everyone, from ages 7-70 can relate to. This movie was truly a visual spectacle, as well as music to the ears.

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