The trailer for Jim Carrey's new family film, “Mr. Popper's Penguins,” looked awful, leading some to expect the worst. With its impending release, it seems entering with low expectations can be the best way to see a film, because this one is a pleasant surprise.
Carrey plays Mr. Popper, a business man whose work has consumed his life. He's divorced and has lost touch with his two kids. He desperately wants to reconnect with his son and daughter, but they want no part of him. Popper’s life changes when his long-lost dad dies and leaves him six penguins that, needless to say, totally disrupt his life.
Despite his disdain for these birds, his attitude changes when his kids fall in love with them. It's suddenly cool to hang out in dad's fancy, fancy New York apartment. The rest of the plot revolves around Popper rediscovering his softer, gentler side, all due to the penguins. In the process, he becomes a better person, a nice ex-husband and more caring father.
Carrey brings heart and vitality to the role. It's not the crazy, manic Jim Carrey from “The Mask” or “Ace Ventura,” but for what he's called upon to do, he's charming and gets the job done. The birds, a combination of real life penguins and CGI, are quite cute, and the special effects department has done a good job here as well.
The movie is formulaic and audiences will see the gags coming from a mile away. Still, Carrey, along with director Mark Waters, have managed to not make this cloyingly annoying. They’ve injected some sentimentality into the proceedings and somehow it kind of clicks.
This is a family film, and on that level it works. Be warned, it's not the kind of movie that adults should go see by themselves. For those with kids from the ages of seven to 12, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable choice. It's even heartwarming, and parents will have a few laughs along the way, too.
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