Happy Feet Two has everything you likely loved about the original Happy Feet (singing and dancing penguins) and nothing you may have hated (environmentalist propaganda). After reading up on the first Happy Feet, I went into the sequel expecting a propaganda film in the tradition of pre-World War II German director Leni Riefenstahl. After all, my go-to children’s film experts (my sister and her 10-year-old daughter) described the first film as “preachy” and “long,” respectively. But it seems writer/director George Miller, who won an Academy Award for the first installment, learned from his heavy-handed mistakes and instead presented us with an inspiring tale of using your unique talents to contribute to society.

The hero of Happy Feet, Mumble (Elijah Wood), is back and this time he is struggling with helping his son, Erik (Ava Acres), find his place in the Emperor Penguin society. Unable to dance like his father, Erik feels out of place and seeks out his own path, meeting a cast of characters each with his own unique strength, including a penguin named Sven (Hank Azaria) who can fly! With elements of children’s fable Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the flying penguin encourages Erik to look within himself to find how he can find his place in penguin society. Sadly, it turns out that Sven is actually a con artist puffin, but the truth of his message is not lost on Erik, who eventually recognizes the strengths of his father and finds his inspiration there.

The main plot is mirrored in a subplot involving two krill, Will (Brad Pitt) and Bill (Matt Damon), who break away from their own swarm in order to become individuals. Ultimately, each character finds himself and returns back to the society from which he came, with a new understanding of his unique purpose. And all unite to save the penguins from a perilous situation, involving habitat destruction as a result of global warming (although I read that into the film and it wasn’t overtly stated). In fact, the humans in the film are portrayed as benefactors and although they aren’t able to save the penguins, the relationship between the two societies is portrayed as one of respect.

The 3-D gimmick is well done here, and if there’s any place for a gimmick, it’s a children’s film. It helps create a sense of immersion in the Antarctic world, but isn’t distracting. Strangely, if the film has a weakness, it’s the music. The original songs aren’t catchy or memorable and the songs go on a little too long. The audience clapped at the end of the film and while I, personally, didn’t feel that it was clap worthy, it’s a good way to spend an evening with the kids. Happy Feet Two is fun, clever, cute and has a positive message for the little ones.

Happy Feet Two. Directed by George Miller. Starring Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Alecia Moore (P!nk), Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. Rated PG.  www.happyfeettwo.warnerbros.com.

Review by Jennifer Waller Sibley