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Story

Erik (voice of Ava Acres) is the young son of Mumble (voice of Elijah Wood). Erik’s scared to dance with the other penguins because he thinks that he’ll embarrass himself. When Mumble manages to persuade him to give dancing a try, things don’t go well. Feeling that he doesn’t fit in, Erik runs away.

Erik meets the Mighty Sven (voice of Hank Azaria), a penguin who can fly. Erik is in awe of Sven and believes that he’ll be able to do anything if he really tries. Meanwhile Mumble has gone looking for Erik. While Mumble’s away from the rest of the colony and his wife Gloria (voice of Pink), a massive ice shelf slips into the ocean. This means Mumble can’t get home, and the Emperor Penguin colony is cut off from its food supply.

Mumble finds Erik. On the journey home, they meet Bryan the Beachmaster (voice of Richard Carter), a rather aggressive elephant seal. Bryan falls down a deep crevasse, leaving two very sad baby seals calling helplessly for their father. Mumble manages to rescue Bryan, who later returns the favour by helping Mumble and Erik get back to the penguin colony.

Themes

Environmental damage because of climate change

Violence

This movie has some violence and accidental harm. For example:

  • Several times, whales and larger fish nearly eat Will Krill and Bill Krill.
  • Large polar bears and aggressive skua birds attack the penguins.
  • Bryan the Beachmaster is an aggressive elephant seal who threatens Mumble and looks as if he’ll hurt him.
  • Will Krill nearly gets crushed underfoot and is caught in a chainsaw.
  • Two elephant seals have a fight.

Sexual references

This movie has some sexual references. For example:

  • Ramon the ‘Mexican’ penguin is always on the lookout for ‘chicas’. When he finds the beautiful Carmen, he says, ‘You, me, egg now!’
  • Sven feeds Gloria some fish in a suggestive way.
  • There’s a subtle suggestion that Will and Bill are in a gay relationship.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None of concern

Nudity and sexual activity

None of concern

Product placement

There’s no product placement of concern in this movie itself, but there’s a lot of associated merchandise on the market.

Coarse language

This movie has some name-calling.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Happy Feet Two is a beautifully made animated movie that’s really enhanced by 3D effects. The story is a bit hard to follow at times, especially for young viewers, who might also be worried by scenes of scary animals and animals in danger. The music and dancing will appeal to older children.

The main messages from this movie are about the impact of global warming on the environment and also about finding your own talents and unique qualities.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:

  • the importance of family and friends
  • kindness
  • cooperation and helping others in trouble.

This movie could also give parents the chance to talk with your children about:

  • what can happen when you don’t listen to your parents
  • how running away from a problem won’t solve it
  • how the movie stereotypes characters such as the love-struck Mexican and the laconic Australian Beachmaster.

Other reviews you might be interested in

  • Happy Feet

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  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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