“Penguins” Deserving of Time in Spotlight

The movie starts in inspired fashion as the distinctive vocal cadence of filmmaker Werner Herzog is heard narrating a documentary on the migratory habits of penguins. (If you know who Herzog is, you’re probably chuckling. If not, more’s the pity.) Within this rookery is the dumb-as-an-ice-floe Rico (voice by Conrad Vernon), the ever-observant Kowalski (Chris Miller), the soon-to-be-hatched Private (Christopher Knights) and the leader of the quartet Skipper (Tom McGrath), who breaks from the long line of his lemming-like brethren to declare, “I reject nature!” This statement of individuality is all these four need to separate from the group and embark on a life of adventure, including a break-in at Fort Knox years later that sets up the movie’s primary adventure.

Through a sequence of narrative twists and turns that Rube Goldberg would be hard-pressed to explain, the penguins encounter Dave (John Malkovich), a malevolent octopus who bears them a grudge, having coincidentally been in the same zoos where they were the primary attraction. The furry fowl’s inherent cuteness would always draw big crowds, stealing attention from Dave who was repeatedly pushed to the wayside. Obviously, octopi bear grudges (who knew?!?) as the eight-tentacled fiend is intent on destroying our heroes and all other penguins in the world with a concoction he’s come up with called the Medusa Serum, a formula that will, let’s just say, render them less than cute.

However, the highlight of the film is Malkovich’s work. Dave is quite mad, hopelessly out of touch with reality as well as modern technology. He constantly fumbles about while trying to project menace and the actor masterfully captures the character’s efforts to project this, which is ultimately undercut by his own bewilderment. This is inspired stuff and while Skipper’s continued malapropisms threaten to overstay their welcome, the imagination of directors Eric Darnell and Simon Smith keeps the material fresh and vibrant throughout, proving once and for all that the penguins have no need for an egomaniacal lion, a vain hippo, a paranoid giraffe or a loyal zebra.

For a full review, go to: http://illinoistimes.com/article-14754-penguins-deserving-of-time-in-spotlight.html

“Big Hero 6” Can’t Break the Mold

Young Hiro (voice by Ryan Potter) is a science prodigy who longs to attend the SF Institute of Technology with his brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney).  However, they don’t let just anyone in so the young man invents an army of small micro-robots that can be controlled by brain waves and can be shaped into anything the person who commands them wants.  Not only does this gain Hiro admittance to the school but peaks the interest of Alistair Krei (Alan Tudyk) a nefarious industrialist who wants the young man’s invention.  It comes as no surprise that a mysterious fire breaks out at the institute soon after Hiro refuses to come work with him, which results in the death of Tadashi and the presumed theft of the valuable prototype.

The film finally becomes engaging at this point as Tadashi’s invention Baymax, which is a kindly medical care unit, takes center stage.  In appearance, the robot looks like a cross between the Michelin Man and the Stay-Puff Marshmallow menace from Ghostbusters, however it’s demeanor is one of benign caring.  It asks how you’re feeling, inquires about your pain level, diagnoses what ails you and offers suggestions and cures to help you.  It also heats up internally in order to warm you up, which is pretty cool. However, when it becomes apparent that a nefarious bad guy is going to use Hiro’s weapon for no good, he reprograms and retrofits Baymax so that he can be used as a superhero.  Four of Tadashi’s friends –thrill-seeker Go Go (Jamie Chung), obsessive-compulsive Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.) scientist Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) and hanger-on Fred – transform themselves in a similar manner and this team sets out to save the day.

That a benevolent robot is turned into a weapon is such an obvious statement about the mindset of most modern governments that it hardly needs to be mentioned.  One need only look back to Brad Bird’s 1999 classic The Iron Giant for an example of how a film can be exciting and poignant without having to compromise its theme or main character.

For a full review, go to: http://illinoistimes.com/blog-14713-%25E2%2580%259Cbig-hero-6%25E2%2580%259D-can%25E2%2580%2599t-break-the-mold.html