If you're half expecting just another talking-animals flick, 'Happy Feet' will blow you away. It's SO much better than the standard kiddie movie, and it features actual funny jokes, great music and a worthy message to boot. Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood) is a misfit Emperor penguin smitten with Gloria (Brittany Murphy). But he can't find his heartsong (that unique voice that allows penguins to mate for life) and, instead, tap dances like Savion Glover (no coincidence, he choreographed all of Mumble's moves). The penguin elders think his dancing is freakish, so they banish him from the community. He meets a group of Adelie penguins called the "Amigos," led by a Spanish-accented Robin Williams. The Amigos accept Mumble right away, and show him that his gift makes him cool, not an outcast. Rated PG

What's in It for the Kids: Say what you will about Robin Williams, but animation is his forte. His manic energy is perfectly matched for voice work, and his multiple characters (especially wise-cracking Ramon) are bound to send the under-10 crowd into spasms of giggles. The song-and-dance sequences are spectacularly fun, but it's the Adelie "amigos" that really steal the show. But for the record, please explain to your kids that not all Latinos talk that way -- please!

What's in It for You: Most animated movies rely on original music composed by pop stars hoping to score an Academy Award, but this one has a dozen recognizable hits (from Stevie Wonder's 'I Wish' to Queen's 'Somebody to Love' to Earth Wind & Fire's 'Boogie Wonderland') sung by the various penguins -- it's actually a good thing. Plus, all the mating jokes will go way over your kiddos' heads, but you'll get a kick out of 'em. This might be one of the very few animated films where you'll laugh just as much, if not more, than the kids.

Redeeming Social Value: There are two main messages in the film, both of which are actually worth talking to children about: one, that we should embrace instead of ridicule those who are different from us and two, that we should all play closer attention to how our careless actions affect the environment. You never know when that plastic six-pack holder will end up choking an adorable penguin. And lastly, while there's no inherent social benefit to tap-dancing, it's a lost art usually relegated to little girls and Rockettes. It would be so "accidentally cool" if more kids wanted to shuffle-hop-step after seeing Mumble channel Savion Glover.

If You Like 'Happy Feet,' We Recommend:

'Deep Blue'
'Eight Below'
'Finding Nemo'
'Madagascar'
'March of the Penguins'

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