I can't lie, I initially went to see the movie Happy Feet for the music. But as I sat there watching the beginning credits roll, I thought for a second that I was in the wrong movie theatre. Hugh Jackman? Nicole Kidman? Elijah Wood? Robin Williams? Apparently this was an all star cast reincarnated into a troop of Emperor Penguins.

This movie chronicles the life of baby penguin Mumble, who unlike the rest of the penguins, has no singing voice but instead has the gift of tap dance and is pretty much the Shirley Temple of penguins minus the curly top.

However, the elders of the penguin community don't appreciate Mumble's talent for 'happy feet'. Even his father, Memphis, the Elvis of the penguins, who is voiced by Hugh Jackman, is ashamed that his son has no 'heart song'. Mumble becomes somewhat of an outcast, but the penguins run into bigger problems when there are no more fish to eat because humans have begun fishing in their home waters.

Mumble vows to find out why there are no more fish and leaves home to save his family and friends from starvation. Along the way he befriends a spicy bunch of tiny penguins that pack a hilarious Spanish accent. One of them, Ramon, who is voiced by Robin Williams, is fabulous at keeping the audience laughing just by saying something ridiculous when the movie has its slow moments.

Ultimately it is Mumble's crazy tap dancing feet that take the nation by storm. When the world learns about Mumble and how his species is dying due to exorbitant fishing, legislation is created to stop fishing endeavors near these areas.

My favorite part of the movie was the absolutely amazing animation. The colors were vibrant and it was extremely life like. Savion Glover's tapping talents were captured to use for Mumble's fancy moves and all of the cast members had to take penguin dancing lessons. Something else I really liked was the fact that Brittany Murphy, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman all did their own singing for their characters. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Jackman belt out a rendition of "Heartbreak Hotel" and Kidman's sweet soprano was delightful as well.

I later learned that Steve Irwin was a voice for one of the smaller characters and that the film was actually dedicated to him. I think Irwin would be pleased to bring an animal activist-ish movie to the world of animation, however unbelievable the story line may be. I loved this movie, but that may just be because I love Earth Wind and Fire. The story itself loses momentum and believability as soon as they tried to convince me that a dancing penguin was a top priority at a UN conference, but you have to take it for what it's worth. A fabulously animated movie with an all-star cast of voices and some pretty sweet tunes. Grade: B+