It's a kids movie. What did you expect? We get the old Jim Carrey back from the 1990s and Bruce Almighty. He cracks quirks, impersonates celebrities and keeps his actions to an over-the-top level. He's always fun to watch and this is no exception. That's about as far as… More
It's a kids movie. What did you expect? We get the old Jim Carrey back from the 1990s and Bruce Almighty. He cracks quirks, impersonates celebrities and keeps his actions to an over-the-top level. He's always fun to watch and this is no exception. That's about as far as this film goes. It's another Jim Carrey flick with a story and other characters just plopped in around his antics. But let's take a deeper look into Mr. Popper's Penguins.<br/><br/>Tom Popper (Jim Carrey) grew up with his dad never really being around for him, always away in the Antarctic researching marine and polar wildlife. 30 years later he's a realtor trying to close a deal to get a run down restaurant from an old stubborn woman (Angela Lansbury). His dad passes away and in his last will gives Tom his greatest findings from the Antarctic; six rare-bred penguins. With all these penguins living in his household, a job on the line, and fighting for the love of his kids and former wife, what is he to do?<br/><br/>I don't even want to point out all the changes the movie made from the book. But in case you're wondering a few that stick out include, well for one, that it is modernized. The book was published in 1938 and took place in that same time period. Popper was a poor self-employed painter (not a successful realtor), he has to balance this job with his family he's working to fend for (not divorced and living away from them fending for himself), a admiral from a radio broadcast he wrote to sends him a penguin (not his father who recently passed away), and they end up being twelve penguins (not six). Hope that clears things up.<br/><br/>Like I said, Jim Carrey is being Jim Carrey in this movie. It's he's known for and what his fans want. He's classic Jim. He acts real crazy, jumps around, makes weird faces, cracks wise, and like his other films takes his job seriously without being serious. He even comes up with a new catchphrase, "yapsolutely"--"Yeah" or "Yep" plus "Absolutely." He's almost reprising his role from Liar Liar. Divorced father who loves his kids but is so obsessed with his job that he can't seem to hold up a relationship with them.<br/><br/>We see him play Tom Popper as he would any character, so nothing new there. As Tom Popper he starts to hate the penguins, then tried to get rid of them, then grows to love them and care for them as if they were his own kids. And we he starts to care he begins looking very washed up. He has snow all around his apartment, with toys, inflatable decorations and a few slides around the place all while changing his wardrobe to bum-like wool garments.<br/><br/>The penguins are really the only other memorable parts of the cast. The penguins given such original names. Captain (the leader), Stinky (who farts), Loudie (who's loud), Bitey (who bites, or more like pecks), Lovely (who snuggles), and Nimrod (who's an idiot). Really takes after the Seven Dawrfs, eh? But there's more to these penguins. Like the fart and poop jokes. And these are free thinking animals, too. They enjoy watching Charlie Chaplin... because he looks like a penguin. If you can actually spot a penguin in the movie that isn't CG'd, then I congratulate you because that's quite an achievement. <br/><br/>If it's not a penguin or Jim Carrey then you'll moat likely forget the other members of the cast's names easily.<br/><br/>David Krumholtz plays Mr. Popper's neighbor, Kent. His role is to get Tom evicted from his apartment because by having penguins he violets the terms of living in the apartment; NO PETS ALLOWED! But we only see him for a minute or two here and there with his role completely unresolved.<br/><br/>Clark Gregg is the animal control guy, well, zoo keeper, maybe? Anyway, he's the "bad guy" of the movie and is trying to take away the penguins from Tom. Like every bad guy in a kid's movie they are given a big task for the small job they have and do more than is necessary to make sure it all works out for them.<br/><br/>Ophelia Lovibond as Pippi is one I think might actually be remembered somewhat as much as Tom Popper. Not that her role was the biggest but she sure left an impression. Pippi is Popper's personal assistant and she can't get through a sentence without saying as many words as she can beginning with the letter "P." Yeah, this gets pretty annoying.<br/><br/>Carla Gugino is Tom's ex-wife, Amanda... and that's about all there is to her character. The kids, played by Maxwell Perry Cotton (as Billy) and Madeline Carroll (as Janie) act as opposites. The boy is exciting and sure acts like the son of a Jim Carrey character. The daughter is another story completely.<br/><br/>Madeline Carroll I think is a child actress very much heading towards bigger things. She's a fine actress, although the role she has been given in this film doesn't give her much room to do anything. She takes part as a teenager going through the teenage problem of crushing on a boy and feeling a bit too love-stricken with him believing he doesn't feel the same way about her. <br/><br/>Every once in a while we get to hear her say something about her problem and ask Tom for advice in which she completely disregards. The other times we see her she's either texting on her phone or grinning with her brother. <br/><br/>One major issue I had with the film was that everyone called Tom Popper, well, Popper. Everyone addresses him that way. Family, coworkers, everyone! His son calls him Popper, his ex calls him Popper. We get it. He's the title character. Now let's move on. Only a few people address him differently. His dad called him "Tippy Toe." And if I'm not mistaken Janie actually calls him Dad and Rick (Jame Tupper) calls him Tom.<br/><br/>The character are generic and forgettable, the direction and script rehash and butcher an old story, the effects are all contributed towards CG'd penguins with actual penguins rarely being used, the jokes are mostly Jim Carrey acting weird with the occasion fart or poop joke, and, oh hey, I almost forgot, there's a mega happy ending at the end.<br/><br/>After reading a misplaced letter from his dad that's really less inspiring then it sounds, Tom takes action, wins over his kids' affection, he gets along with his ex again, the "bad guy" loses, the penguins are moved to a suitable place to live, the restaurant is now Tom's and everyone is so happy. Does Tom get back together with his ex? Who knows, who cares. Not like there's going to be a sequel. And to top it off we get to hear "Ice Ice Baby" during the end credits. There couldn't be a more appropriate theme to walk out of the theatre to. <br/><br/>With all I hated about Mr. Popper's Penguins, I was at least entertained and giggled when I thought something was actually funny. By the noises of the theatre full of kids I was in I could tell they sure liked it. So, this is a kids movie and kids will love it for sure. For all you parents and older siblings I'll let you know that this would make good for a fun day for the kiddies.
