Again, Jim Carrey plays a father who has lost sight of the important things in life, confusing them for career success. And again, he will be taught life lessons, if not the hard way, the hysterical way -- by living with penguins. Same old story, perhaps, but a wonderful adventure in the wintry splendor of New York. Once the penguins (an unexpected and unwanted legacy from his deceased father who spent too much time away from home adventuring while Carrey's character, the titular Mr. Popper, was growing up) take up residence in his apartment, it takes little to transform it into a glacial environment since it's already sparse, white, and has access to the frigid air and unlimited fresh snow through the many glass doors to the penthouse terrace. It's easy to see where the Penguins' influence is going, but it's pleasant to watch, and especially to have Angela Lansbury, as the owner of the historic Tavern on the Green restaurant, prodding Popper in the right direction. But credit to his transformation must be given to the six Penguins -- the sweet, mischievous, irresistible creatures. The technology behind the lifelike nature of the penguins was truly convincing, or maybe they're just so cute it's easy to suspend disbelief -- we want them to be real.
Carrey still shows of his quick-witted, energetic persona, though time is telling on his rubber -faced features. He still balances the charming and affable with the irritating, particularly when dealing with his corporate bosses. If only we could all get away with jibing about their impending death from old age. The blaringly overt message, as all family movies with animals must transmit, is intoned when Carrey says grace in a family dinner scene. He says, 'please use your mighty power to stop the melting of polar ice caps.' By the end of the film, I expected the entire penguin/human family to break into song and dance.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Director: Mark Waters
Writer: Sean Anders, John Morris, Jared Stern from the book by Richard Atwater and Florence Atwater.
Cast: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Madeline Carroll, Angela Lansbury, Ophelia Lovibond, James Tupper, Philip Michael Hall
Time: 95 min.
Rating: PG
Opening June 17 at the Metreon in San Francisco.
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