“Happy Feet Two” Opens in IMAX Dec. 26 at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk

 

By Dave Sigworth

Mumble the dancing penguin is back with a new problem that will take all of Antarctica to solve as the Hollywood hit “Happy Feet Two” snowplows onto the giant IMAX screen just in time for the holiday vacation week at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The sequel to the 2006 Academy Award-winner for Best Animated Film will play on the Aquarium’s six-story screen from Dec. 26 through 30 at 2 and 7 p.m. (no 7 p.m. show Dec. 29); on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m.; on Sunday, Jan. 1 at 4 p.m.; on Friday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, Jan. 7 at 4 and 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m.

“This is a very fun family film that we’re happy to offer during the week when families are looking for something to do together,” said Chris Loynd, the Aquarium’s marketing director. “Even if the kids saw it already in a local moviehouse, they really haven’t seen or heard it until they see it in our IMAX Theater.”

With crystal-clear images, 12,000 watts of digital laser-aligned surround-sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world’s most immersive movie experience. Through proprietary IMAX^® DMR technology, “Happy Feet Two” has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of “the IMAX Experience^®.”

“These little penguins go big on our six-story screen,” Loynd said. “It’s bigger, bolder and better in IMAX.”

“Happy Feet Two” returns to the magnificent landscape of Antarctica. Mumble, the master of tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven – a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model.

But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces.  Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures – from tiny krill to giant elephant seals – to put things right.

“Happy Feet Two” was directed by George Miller, who won an Oscar^® as the creator of the original “Happy Feet.”  The film features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore (Pink), Ava Acres, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Common, Hugo Weaving and Benjamin “Lil P-Nut” Flores Jr.

The film features vocals by Pink, with music by John Powell.

Richard Corliss of Time magazine called the film “97 minutes of nonstop joy.”

“Everything that happens in ‘Happy Feet Two’ is good-to-great,” Corliss wrote. “Miller is not content to duplicate the pleasures of his first penguin film; he dares to go bigger, deeper, higher – happier. And it should guarantee that moviegoers will waddle out of this sublime sequel on happy feet, too.”

The Warner Bros. Pictures film is rated PG for rude humor and mild peril.

“Happy Feet Two” is just one of two Hollywood options showing over the holidays on The Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX screen. Robert Zemeckis’ animated “The Polar Express,” starring Tom Hanks, plays Dec. 26-30 at 4 p.m. and on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.

Tickets for “Happy Feet Two” are specially priced at $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors 65 and older, and $9.50 for children ages 2-12.  Maritime Aquarium members save $1.

To reserve tickets in advance or for more details, call (203) 852-0700 or go online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.