Saturday, December 17, 2011

Cinema Saturday [Mr Popper's Penguins]

Mr Popper's Penguins
Twentieth Century Fox
December 6, 2011
94 minutes/PG
info at IMDb/buy on Amazon


Earlier this month, I reviewed the book Mr Popper's Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater - the review is posted here. Thanks to Fox and Think Jam, I've now had the chance to watch the movie starring Jim Carrey.

At first time movie seems completely different from the children's novel. Here is the summary (via IMDb):

The life of a businessman begins to change after he inherits six penguins, and as he transforms his apartment into a winter wonderland, his professional side starts to unravel.

While the set-up to Mr Popper (Carrey) getting the first penguin is a lot different than the book and the Mr Popper character - his occupation and family life, especially - in general is a lot different as well, things become more similar from there.

The move has definitely updated the plot and made it fit with the current day - as opposed to 1938 when the novel was first published.

The overall feel of the movie does keep with the story the book was telling. It has a great family feel and the idea of the family really working together and triumphing.

It's also incredibly funny. Based on the trailer, I wasn't that sure how funny I would find the film but wanted to see it because of the book, but it's hilarious. It's definitely Jim Carrey-funny. Things are in the movie that would only work with Carry doing them, I don't know if it was done for him to be in the movie or what, but it works really well.

There was also a great supporting cast including Angela Lansbury.

Mr Popper's Penguins is a great film for just about all ages. It's a funny movie without being crass and doesn't rely on inappropriate humor but adults should still find it funny.

With the holidays coming up, Mr Popper's Penguins should make great - and funny - family viewing.


Think Jam provided my copy of this film.

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