Sequels are the norm this year, and this week there are two of them.
There is that one about werewolves and vampires and the love triangle, and there is one about Penguins — "Happy Feet Two."
Mumbles (Elijah Wood) returns in this film, all grown up and with a son. Gloria is also back, although the singer Pink is now the voice of the character since Brittany Murphy passed away since the last film.
The pair is trying to raise their son Erik (Ava Acres) and get him to fit into the emperor penguin family. Erik is reluctant to dance or sing. He wants to fit in, but is scared to show his talents. Ramon (Robin Williams) is also still around, craving the attention of female penguins, no matter their size.
After realizing none of the emperor penguin females will give him the time of day, Ramon decides to leave. Erik sees an opportunity to find something new in life, and he and two friends follow Ramon.
Their travels lead them to Sven, a penguin who can fly. Erik is fascinated by Sven, who tells him that if he simply wills something to happen, it will.
Mumbles finds Erik and his friends and takes them home. On the way, they help an elephant seal and nearly get lost because the terrain has changed. This presents a huge problem that threatens the entire emperor penguin population.
A side story the filmmakers include finds two krill leaving their swarm to change their lives. Will (Brad Pitt) decides he is tired of being low man on the food chain and wants to move up. Bill (Matt Damon) wants to stay with the swarm but makes the sacrifice to help his friend.
"Happy Feet Two" is fun, but also somewhat inspirational. It's very similar to the first with all the musical numbers and dancing. The music is fun and helps the movie move along. The first film really hammered on the environmental message, but this one not as much. The political messages are not slapping viewers in the face.
Pitt and Damon are funny as the krill. They are over the top at times, but it works with these characters. The kid actors do a good job, and when Erik decides to show off his talents, it is kind of moving. There are a few different messages in this film that you may be able to discuss with your children.
There is a little rude humor and some scenes where kids might get worried about the safety of the characters. You may recognize some of the songs that are sung during the movie, but listen closly as some of the lyrics have been changed to accommodate the scenery and the characters.
"Happy Feet Two" is available in 3D. There isn’t much in it that would justify the extra money to see it in that format, although the 3D credits will be fun for your kids to watch.
It isn’t often that a sequel equals or betters the original, but this film comes close.
Shawn O'Neill is the Family Man Movie Reviewer on BYU Radio. His reviews can be heard on BYURadio.org and on SiriusXM Channel 143.