Robin Williams Signs on For Happy Feet 2: Guess Who Ain’t Happy?!!

Posted by Brian Salisbury (bsalisbury@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 22, 2009

happy-feet-1

Reports from Sci Fi Wire are that George Miller has decided to do a sequel to his 2006 animated film Happy Feet. As if that weren’t stomach churning enough, Robin Williams has apparently agreed to reprise two of his voice roles from the first film. So off the heels of what many are calling one of his best performances in recent memory, in World’s Greatest Dad, Williams has decided to take a giant waddle backwards and once again dive into the world of singing, dancing penguins with absurd political agendas? Nice.

There is nothing wrong with Williams doing an animated film. Do not misinterpret me. His work in Disney’s Aladdin is still the archetype for incredible voice acting. And one only need watch Wall-E or UP or even Bolt (that’s right) to understand that animated films can really deliver fantastic, poignant moments that speak to children as well as the child inside us grownup, cynical bastards. But there is nothing poignant, smart, or entertaining about the incalculable swill of Happy Feet.

I am anxious to see which Twitter trending topic Happy Feet will use to construct its inevitable soap box. Will they dance to Darfur? Will they have a rousing musical chorus illustrating the responsibility of every American to buy smart cars? Or will Miller have the penguins waving flippers in our faces because we didn’t each take a more proactive role in ensuring free elections in Iran?

It isn’t inherently wrong for an animated film to have a message; again I would cite Wall-E as a wonderful example of balancing heart-warming, cutesy characters with a global conscience. But the problem I have with Happy Feet is that it tries to veil its message by having the first hour of the film be nothing but goofy-as-fuck dance numbers and dialogue that would exasperate a toddler. The film has an ego and it truly believes itself to be the prophet of environmentalism; taking up a charge that it feels no one else has. I fucking hate the entire farce that is Happy Feet and I get angry when I think all the people doing a lot more for the planet than making preachy propaganda disguised as a family film. Yeah, I’m sure it felt so globally-conscious to sit back and collect the box office grosses, you twats!

But yeah, Williams will be in it.

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chille

Good to know I'm not the only one that hated happy feet

rpaine

ugh, i would rather see a sequel to Surfs Up.

Bill

Wow. I can feel the heat radiating off the screen. There's anger coming through, but none of your complaints really read as coherent. First you're over there, complaining that the film had a message in the first place, and then you're saying that it's alright for an animated film to have a message, but hoo-boy, it can't be upfront about it - and, that the first act was all dancing which, well, it just wasn't. In fact, if I can recall, the first act is actually pretty heavy in setting up the environmental plot-line for the rest of the film. Is there dancing? You bet. But, being a musical, it's part of the storyline and it's not really trying to be ironic or goofy, so - what's the problem?

It's strange, too - considering FSR gave "Happy Feet" a great review upon it's release. I dunno, mebbe you jus' wanna be different.

Taylor F

I have to say I completely agree with the assessment of "Happy Feet". I watched this movie again very recently and was reminded of how thoroughly stupid the film is. You are also absolutely correct in what you say about WALL-E, Up and Bolt, movies I happen to really enjoy.

adamcharles

A giant waddle backwards seems a bit of a stretch considering he's reprising a role in a film that won an Academy Award and was one of the top 10 highest grossing films of its year. Not that an Academy Award = great, but the film was actually pretty well received critically upon release. There is both artistic and financial merit to taking the role, even if you hated the film.

Plus, it's very much in line with Williams' career decisions since the 90s. He'd do a The Fisher King and Good Will Hunting then follow it up with a Hook, or Flubber. Plus, his roles in family films are what probably allow him financially to warrant taking a role in something like World's Greatest Dad, The Big White, or One Hour Photo.

memey

hey guys, i'm meymey from Indonesia. i realy love Happy feet movie.now im studying in university and i want Happy feet to be data for my final project.could you help me to find the script of this film?help me please.i've got problem to find it.
thanx alot.

Bill

I don't think the script has been publicly released, yet. There's really only one of Miller's screenplays widely available online, and that's "The Road Warrior."

carlosjacobo

you people are too stupid to understand the meaning of the movie. i bett most of you were probably smoking marijuana while watching the damn movie. happy feet inspired me to get back into singing and dancing and now i got six shows to attend.

davanah

listen! happy feet is the best movie in the world! what do you mean its not smart or entertaining?! i have whatched happy feet many times, and every time i watched it i KNEW that it was smart and entertaining! you have just messed with happy feet's #1 fan! (SNAP!,SNAP!,SNAP!)

smurf

Its a good message for the kids you idiot no one cares if you like it or not

Robin Williams Signs on For Happy Feet 2: Guess Who Ain’t Happy?!!

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