BACK COVER SYNOPSIS: Emperor penguins are born to sing. All except young Mumble, who has been born to dance... tap dance. Such un-penguin-like behaviour eventually gets Mumble kicked out of Emperor Land and into the big, cold world. Joined by his Adelie Amigos and an all-knowing Rockhopper penguin named Lovelace, Mumble embarks on an epic journey and ultimately proves that be being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

FILM REVIEW: "Happy Feet" starts out like many other CGI kid flicks of recent years, with cute songs, cute characters and a heart of gold. What sets this film apart from the rest is a very intriguing and superior second half which deviates quite wildly to the standard formula, in the end creating one of the most unique experiences you'll have in one of these types of films. With a strong story, graceful imagery, strong characters and some genuine voice performances, "Happy Feet" will entertain and enthrall, and is worthy of its win for Best Animated Picture.

The first half of the film seems as if its aimed squarely at a North American audience. We are introduced to Emperor Land, home of the Emperor penguins. They are a happy, but conservative society. When young Mumble is born with an inability to sing, but an aptitude for tap dancing, he is immediately shunned by almost everyone as being a freak and unable to work within their society. This segment of the film contains a number of songs and is quite effective, but ultimately seems a bit derivative of earlier CGI films. It's the setup designed to introduce the world and a character who although starts off as the outcast will ultimately save their society.

It's the second half of the film where things get really interesting. Pushed out of Emperor Land, Mumble makes friends with some smaller penguins and they go out on their journey in the wilderness for some crazy adventures. On the way, Mumble learns that there is a threat to their food source (posed by humans of course), and sets out to communicate with those who are threatening their home land. In an interesting twist, Mumble is captured and put on display in a watery zoo, and eventually, through his tap-dancing, communicates with the humans and is able to restore the natural order, eventually earning him the right to return to Emperor Land.

What makes all of this so interesting is that you're getting the point of view of the animal/bird/creature; quite often we see animals in zoos and what not, and we take for granted that they were taken from their habitat and put on display for our curiousity and amusement. It makes for an intriguing theme, with a nice conservation message in the middle, making the film somewhat more than just your average kid flick.

Of course, being a Hollywood CGI fest, there has to be lots of celebrity voices but they all deliver in spades. Robin Williams in particular is on fire again, this time playing two characters who play crucial roles in Mumble's eventual success. In addition to the great talent, director George Miller has created some incredibly spectacular imagery. The film has a very strong visual scope, giving an almost epic feel to the film at times.

This is a highly entertaining film; it has a weak beginning but the second half of the film more than makes up for it.

TECHNICAL REVIEW: When a film is made entirely in the computer you'd expect a perfect picture, and with this transfer, that's exactly what you get. The digital images in this film are spectacularly realised on DVD, without so much as a flaw or an artefact. Likewise, the sound is superb, with many moments for the main track to fully utilise your home theatre system.

EXTRAS REVIEW: Given the extraordinary amount of work that would have gone in to making this film and it is a really pity that this DVD has no real special features to speak of. There's a 10 minute interview with director George Miller, conducted by two kids in Sydney, and a theatrical trailer. A poor effort all round.

BOTTOM LINE: Worth having in the collection, but buy it when it goes on sale.