54) Mr. Poppers Pengins [DVD]

Mr. Poppers Penguins. Mark Waters (Director). Twentieth Century Fox, 2011.

Genre/Subject: Animals, Humor, Adventure

Ages: 8 and up

Plot: Mr. Popper is a successful business man who is waiting to purchase the Tavern restaurant from a widowed lady. Popper lives in an apartment by himself, and this children come to visit him occasionally. His ex-wife is dating, and wants to take a vacation with her new boyfriend, for two weeks. In this case, the kids will be staying with Popper. On day, Popper receives a box, from Antarctica, from his father. He opens the box and there is ice inside the box, with a stuffed penguin. The only problem is that, it is not a stuffed penguin, but a real penguin. Popper gets upset, and immediately decides to return the bird back to where it came from. He calls his father, but the phone connection is breaking up, so his father only hears that Popper wants him to bring five more. So, his father interprets this as Popper wanting five more penguins. Just as Popper believes that he is returning the bird in a crate, more birds arrive. Popper misses work, as he stays home with the penguins. He calls the animal rescue department, and while he is waiting he gets ready to celebrate his son's birthday. His family arrives at his door, and a penguin makes contact with his son. His son is excited because he believes that his father has bought him a real live penguin for his birthday. When the family enters his apartment, they find five more penguins. Mr. Popper decides to keep the penguins, and juggles between work and taking care of the penguins. He has the TV entertain and babysit the penguins while he is away. His kids visit him often, because they love visiting the penguins. Having the penguins seems to bring the family together closer then ever before. Popper falls in love with his ex-wife, helps his daughter with relationship issues, and becomes a hero and saves penguins from the New York animal keeper.

Review: This movie is based on the Newbery Award winning, 1939 book, Mr. Poppers Penguins. The family dynamic is strong, and the concept of taking care of animals is positive. Together Mr. Popper and his family save the penguins from being captured by the keeper, so it slightly becomes an adventure story, as well. The story is updated to fit modern times, and Jim Carey's acting is hilarious, as well as the animation of the penguins--they fart, throw up, pee, poop, and burp throughout the movie. This is a great animal movie that will be funny for tweens. The penguins are adorable, and their messiness and crude behavior will be entertaining.A great family movie that tweens and parents can enjoy together.