Happy Feet

Certifications

Reception

Box office

The film opened at number one in the United States on its first weekend of release (17–19 November), grossing $41.6 million and beating Casino Royale for the top spot. It remained number one for the Thanksgiving weekend, making $51.6 million over the five-day period, while also outgrossing newcomers Déjà Vu and Deck the Halls. In total, the film was the top grosser for three weeks, a 2006 box-office feat matched by only Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. As of 8 June 2008, Happy Feet had grossed $198.0 million in the US and Canada, and $186.3 million in other countries, making approximately $384.3 million worldwide. Happy Feet was the third-highest-grossing animated film of 2006 in the US, behind Cars and Ice Age: The Meltdown. The film was released in an estimated 35 territories at the close of 2006.

The production budget was $100 million. Metacritic reports a 77 out of 100 rating, based on 30 critics. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on a scale of A+ to F.

Marjorie Baumgarten, film critic for The Austin Chronicle, wrote a positive review, saying, "Happy Feet treads material common to kids films and cartoons, most notably Dumbo: A young animal stands out from his herd or flock because of his inability to perform like the other animals, although he seemingly compensates for this defect by demonstrating a certain skill that sets him apart from the others, who ostracize him for his weirdness." Baumgarten also said that the CGI recreation of Antarctica is "stunning, allowing the film to shift among glorious long shots of the ice and penguin population and midshots and close-ups of the character interactions".

James Berardinelli, film critic for ReelViews, praised its musical numbers (particularly "Kiss" and "Boogie Wonderland") and Robin Williams's performance by awarding the film three out of four, saying, "The ingredients for greatness are there. It's too bad the movie lost its way on the approach to the finish line. I recommend Happy Feet, but not as enthusiastically as I wish I could."

Analysis

Film critic Yar Habnegnal wrote an essay in Forum on Contemporary Art and Society that examines the themes of encroachment presented throughout the film, as well as various other subtexts and themes, such as religious hierarchy and interracial tensions. Vadim Rizov of IFC sees Mumble as just the latest in a long line of cinematic religious mavericks. Some Christians have also considered the film to be anti-Christian (or antireligious in general) due to the imagery and behaviours of various characters.

On a technical or formal level, the film has also been recognised for its innovative introduction of Miller's roving style of subjective cinematography into contemporary animation.

Home media

Happy Feet was released on home media on 27 March 2007, in the United States in three formats: DVD (in separate widescreen and pan-and-scan editions), Blu-ray, and an HD DVD/DVD combo pack. Overall, Happy Feet was the third-best-selling film of 2007, with 12.2 million units sold, earning a revenue of $196.9 million.

Among the DVD's special features is a scene that was cut from the film, in which Mumble meets a blue whale and an albatross while pursuing the fishing boat. The albatross was Steve Irwin's first voice role in the film before he voiced the elephant seal in the final cut. The scene was finished and included on the DVD in Irwin's memory. This scene is done in documentary style, with the albatross describing the other characters in the scene, and the impact people are having on their environment. Another special feature included on the DVD is the 1936 Merrie Melodies short I Love to Singa.

Accolades

The film appeared on numerous critics' top-ten lists of the best films of 2006.

{| class="wikitable"

! Award !! Category !! Winner/Nominee !! Result

| Academy Awards

| Best Animated Feature

| George Miller

| American Film Institute Awards

| Honored as one of the Top Ten Best Films of the Year

| rowspan=2 | Annie Awards

| Best Animated Feature

| George Miller

| Best Writing in an Animated Feature Production

| George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris, and Warren Coleman

| British Academy Children's Awards

| Best Feature Film

|British Academy Film Awards

| Best Animated Feature Film

| rowspan=2 | Golden Globe Awards

| Best Animated Feature Film

| Best Original Song

| "Song of the Heart" by Prince

| Golden Trailer Awards

| Best Music

| rowspan=2 | Grammy Awards

| Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media

| John Powell

| Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media

| "The Song of the Heart", Prince

| Kids' Choice Awards

| Favorite Animated Movie

| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards

| Best Animation

| New York Film Critics Circle Awards

| Best Animated Film

| Satellite Awards

| Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media

| Saturn Awards

| Best Animated Film

Video games

A video game based on the film was developed by A2M and published by Midway Games. It has the same main cast as the film. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and Wii.

Artificial Life, Inc. has also developed a mobile game for the Japanese market.

Sequel

Happy Feet Two was produced at Dr. D Studios and released on 18 November 2011.

4-D attraction

Happy Feet 4-D Experience is a 12-minute 4D film shown at various 4D theatres around the world. It retells the condensed story of Happy Feet with the help of 3D projection and sensory effects, including moving seats, wind, mist and scents. Produced by SimEx-Iwerks, the 4D experience premiered in March 2010 at the Drayton Manor Theme Park. Other locations included Sea World (2010–2011), Shedd Aquarium (2010–2012), Moody Gardens (2010–2011), Nickelodeon Suites Resort and Adventure Aquarium.