Mr Popper's Penguins
Director: Mark Waters
Starring: Angela Lansbury, Carla Gugino, Jim Carrey
Details: US/94mins G
Carrey is a divorced father Thomas Popper who inexplicably has a penguin turn up in a crate on his doorstep after his explorer father buys the farm. Soon, more and more arrive until eventually he has more than one simple estate agent can handle; planning to donate them to a local zoo, his mind soon changes when his kids fall in love with the monogamous birds.
While well enough handled (for what it is) by Mean Girls director Waters, unless you read the book as a child and are interested in what a modern adaptation looks like then it's probably best avoiding. Carrey does his best, almost popping a vein in his forehead attempting to pillage laughs, but it was always going to be a one gag film. The comedian is in Liar Liar mode, and it's a shtick older audience members have seen too many times before - no matter how hard Carrey tries to convince otherwise.
The real redeeming feature for some will be the cute factor, but unless penguins are dancing and being voiced by A-list stars, they're just not really that cute. That said, there are various slapstick scenarios that will nonetheless amuse the nippers while you play with your Iphone apps.
Carrey tries, and some the CGI in seamless; but unless you're too small to ride a rollercoaster, this is best off avoiding.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
Bjorn264
The South Park parody of this is spot on, enough is enough, we have to make a stand against these kinda movies, I know it's aimed for kids but for flip sake, do we really need to dumb down movies this much, why aren't there any quality kids flicks, anyone remember Uncle Buck? the Mask, Home Alone? the Lion King? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNkD6O9Wh8A&feature=related punch drunk love is class, funny people ok for the first half, but Sandler has burned all his bridges with me, he can't ever be forgiven.
Posted 02/08/2011 20:24:07
pandabat
Yes, this is just what we need: a film reviewer telling people that it's ok to play with their phones during a movie. I don't care how awful someone might think the movie that they're in is, they can play with their phone outside the theatre for free and not bother others who might be enjoying the show (or at least trying to endure it without other people's fairy lights hovering in the dark). It's a real annoyance and shows a lack of respect for other cinema goers. Now, where are my pipe and slippers?
Posted 04/08/2011 12:25:56
Mike Sheridan
Don't recall telling anyone to play with their phones in that review, Panda.
Posted 04/08/2011 14:32:37
Bjorn264
Haha, I think he was making the point that there is nothing in this film for adults whatsoever, that adults might be so bored that they begin messing with their apps. I can't see anyone over the age of 4 getting so embroiled in the plot, that the sight of someone messing on their phone would take them out of the film. and "Telling People?" yes because we all do what Mike Sheridan says, haha.
Posted 04/08/2011 16:09:29
ShaunaLouise
When i first saw the adds for this i was'nt sure if it was something i would actually go see, so i actually ended up watching it (out of boredum if im being honest) and well im glad i did :) it was actually quaire funny, brillent storyline, with a great actor included Jim carrey, i must say and amazing storyline, fit for the whole family <3
Posted 22/09/2011 19:51:17
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Your Reviews...
One may not expect much from a Jim Carrey movie about a workaholic who saves his relationship with his family by adopting some penguins, but 'Mr. Popper's Penguins' is a uniquely funny film and deserves more credit. - zXNoRegretzzXz
Fans of Richard and Florence Atwater's book should be forewarned, however: Changes have been made to the story... MORE15/08/2011 17:09:52lame - mart1n
Jim Carrey has gone back to his old safer kiddy movies with Mr. Poppers Penguins which is inoffensive and just a run of... MORE09/08/2011 19:09:58