Mr. Popper's Penguins

Who needs complicated plots made more complicated by big action scenes? Director Mark Waters' (The Spiderwick Chronicles) latest film, Mr. Popper's Penguins, doesn't need them. As a result, it's a perfectly silly family film.

Tom Popper (Jim Carrey) is a divorced realtor who's more concerned with acquiring the Tavern on the Green than with connecting with his own kids. The elderly owner, Mrs. Van Gundy (Angela Lansbury) won't just sell it to anyone, even if this anyone's father was a world class explorer. When old Tom Sr. dies, Tom Jr. is left with a little "souvenir."

It's a crate with a penguin. A live penguin. Another crate follows with five more penguins. All of them have their own little quirk. His kids decide he's the coolest dad ever, especially after he turns his penthouse into an ice box. Only zookeeper Mr. Jones (Clark Gregg) is not convinced that him keeping penguins is a bright idea. But how'll Tom convince the world that these flippered folks are much more than mere pets?

If the name sounds familiar, then it's because the basic premise was milked from the Atwaters' Newbery Honor Book. Somewhere, I imagine a few purists overcome with murderous rage over what Hollywood's done to it. It's an overreaction, really, to what is a good-natured film. I mean, one of the penguins is named Stinky, but the jokes for this penguin aren't that crude at all.

Speaking of the penguins, they're the real stars here. They're quirky enough to delight kids and some adults with their antics, especially the one named Nimrod. The filmmakers used real penguins along with CGI penguins and it's an accomplishment that the digital birds don't stand out like a sore thumb.

As the human star of the show, Jim Carrey made a good Mr. Popper. Even without being manic, Carrey was still an amusing character. His assistant, Pippi (Ophelia Lovibond), was also a fun asset to the cast. It was also a surprise to see Angela Lansbury here; it was a delightful surprise because she still knows how to steal a few scenes.

It's fortunately not in 3D, although a few scenes would fit nicely with the format. With that out of the way, Mr. Popper's Penguins finely balances silliness and heart. It's a good time to be had for a nice afternoon. And for those who want to see the Scrat cartoon that came with Rio, you now get another chance.