Simon J Smith (director)
Dreamworks Animation (studio)
U (certificate)
92 Minutes (length)
29 November 2014 (released)
29 November 2014
The secret agent penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private are back and this adventure will be their longest and comical yet. Starting with the introduction of Private into the team as a little baby hatchling they awesomely rescue. This moves to them breaking into the most secure place in North America, Fort Knox and zoom’s them off to an unexpected kidnapping. They are taken to Venice where the evil genius has his lair and he explains his frightening plan! They escape and are rescued by another secret agent force. This is within the first 25 minutes, so the pace is riproaring and as I don’t want to spoil the story too much!
This film has received mixed reviews and the press for it has been overwhelming. I personally don’t want to start with the often taken views of either it is dull or for the kids. The story is a simple enough blend of action and adventure but it keeps the audience entertained. The first act and the next 15 minutes are well paced for kids and action loving adults. The exploding surrounding, chase scenes and Kung Fu gymnastics are great fun but as this sprint starts to slow it becomes a jog. It does not become an empty event as some have said. This is because of the voice cast and the visuals. The cast are all brilliant and engage with a good script. John Malkovich really deserves praise here as he makes it worthwhile watching his evil maniacal genius! The film is visually stunning with its crafted spaces and surrounds. The action direction is worthy of note as it is on par with the best of Pixar. With the good always comes the bad though sadly.
The real problem with the film is that it tried to aim at a mixed demographic age wise. When you get to the midway point and the exposition arrives, it drags the film down to the ground. This is because the producers want the adults to have something but it is too structurally heavy. Adults get jokes that are exceptionally irritating as they are over used. The naming of a celebrity will make you laugh the first time but by the sixth time, hair will be pulled. It is sad that this happens but I imagine the DVD/ BLU RAY release will have a drinking game option. It is also sad that I think this will be the only penguin film as I really liked them as characters. Even more than the Madagascar lot, except for the monkeys!
This is for the kids and should have stayed targeted more at them...I just want more penguins....