HAPPY FEET

A penguin who doesn't sing, they say, is "hardly a penguin at all." Unfortunately, Mumbles the penguin (voiced by Elijah Wood) has a terrible voice. Forced into exile, Mumbles decides to prove his worth by solving the mystery of the fish shortage that is threatening the penguin community. What begins as an adorably imaginative look at penguin culture quickly turns unexpectedly heavy, as director George Miller takes on too many issues: When was the last time an animated kid's movie told you to follow your heart and addressed the over-fishing of the oceans? At least the pure visual quality of Happy Feet distinguishes it from the current glut of computer-animated movies, even if the plot doesn't. Most striking, though, is the surprisingly likable soundtrack, which features the penguins covering songs by Prince, the Beach Boys and Queen.