Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this delightful collection of songs doesn't include every tune in the popular animated movie, and some of the songs are performed by different lead singers. The song "Jump 'N Move" has a nearly unintelligible drug reference or two. But overall, content is safe and familiar and unlikely to offend.
Families can talk about the covers of older songs on this soundtrack, and compare them to the original versions. Which group actually gets to sing one of their own songs? Who do you like better singing "My Way" -- Frank Sinatra or Robin Williams (in Spanish)? Why?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Thirteen upbeat tracks feature an inspired variety of popular singers and musical arrangements on the HAPPY FEET SOUNDTRACK. There's k.d. lang on a dreamy-soft Beatles medley ("Golden Slumbers/The End"), Robin Williams singing "My Way" in Spanish, and a spectacular Patti LaBelle rendition of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish," complete with gospel-infused backup vocals. There are also appearances by Pink, Prince, the Beach Boys, Brittany Murphy, Nicole Kidman, and Jason Mraz -- and somehow it all works.
Playing against type and vocal expectations on many of the tunes makes for a delicious, riskier-than-usual collection. Who would have thought that Murphy could nail a Queen song, for example? But "Somebody to Love" (with an arrangement that includes a full choir) is effective and powerful. So is Pink on Wonder's "Tell Me Something Good" and lang crooning her Beatles medley as though it were a torch song. It's all a little weird, but no one will mind because it's so much more fun than the usual recycled fare.
LaBelle can't help stealing the show on "I Wish." Backed by a gospel choir and a percolating rhythm section, she gives this familiar tune a shot of brand-new energy. Without missing a beat, the CD then rolls right into the Brand New Heavies (featuring Jamalski) on "Jump 'N Move," a speedy Rasta-rap that includes the only questionable content -- a couple of drug references that are pretty close to unintelligible anyway. This is followed, counter-intuitively, by the Beach Boys, the only group on the CD to perform their own original tune.
Although some of the terrific songs in the movie aren't on this album and will be missed by fans, there's still a lot here to have fun with. Williams' Spanish version of "My Way" is worth the price of admission all by itself.
Fans might want to check out the original versions of all the cover songs performed on Happy Feet. They may also like the Shark Tale Movie Soundtrack.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentThe mildest of innuendo on one or two songs. |
 |
|
|
|
Violence |
|
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
 |
|
|
|
Social BehaviorA gentle message about friendship and good times. |
 |
 |
|
|
CommercialismPackage contains an insert advertising Gia Farrell's music and mobile phone fan club. |
 |
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne song has a nearly unintelligible drug reference or two. |
|
|
|
|
