ROUND 1: MISFIT MATCH HAPPY FEET opens with Mumble, an emperor penguin who can’t sing like the rest but can tap dance with astonishing rhythm. When the elders blame his so-called “abnormality” for the recent disappearance of fish, the film sets Mumble on a mission to uncover the truth instead of silencing his gift. The choice to center a dancer among penguins reframes the story from a simple tale of difference into a quest that tests courage, perseverance, and the power of self-belief. SURF’S UP follows Cody Maverick, a young penguin with a big dream of winning the Penguin World Surfing Championship. While peers attend to egg-sitting duties, Cody trains, improvises, and stubbornly pursues a dream that some call reckless. The question of responsibility looms over him, but the boy carries genuine grit and a playful spirit. Score: HAPPY FEET – 1 SURF’S UP – 0
ROUND 2: TUNE TROUBLE HAPPY FEET’s soundtrack lightens the mood and drives the action. It moves from a playful homage to Prince’s Song of the Heart to Pink’s Tell Me Something Good, with a lively detour through Beach Boys harmonies. The musical choices create a sense of energy that makes the penguin world feel musical and human at the same time, inviting audiences to join in the dance. SURF’S UP leans into sun-drenched, tropical vibes. Its songs include Green Day’s Holiday, You Get What You Give by New Radicals, and The Romantics’ What I Like About You. The tracks add punch to the narrative, but the overall sonic moment never reaches the infectious peak achieved by the other film’s musical numbers. Score: HAPPY FEET – 2 SURF’S UP – 0
ROUND 3: VOICE CHOICE HAPPY FEET relies on Robin Williams to anchor the world with energy and warmth through a pivotal narrator role, while Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman lend presence as Mumble’s parents. Even with strong support from Elijah Wood and Brittany Murphy as the lovebirds Mumble and Gloria, the vocal chemistry doesn’t always translate into a seamless emotional lift for the story. SURF’S UP counterbalances star power with a tight, dedicated cast. Shia LaBeouf brings pluck and grit to Cody Maverick, and Jon Heder embodies Chicken Joe with a quiet, buoyant charm. The rest of the ensemble fills the screen with character and texture that suit the film’s lighter, go-with-the-flow tone. Score: HAPPY FEET – 2 SURF’S UP – 1
ROUND 4: ANIMATION EXAMINATION HAPPY FEET presents penguin characters with a level of realism that keeps the audience grounded in the chilly ocean world. The attention to fur, feather detail, and natural movement creates a tactile feel, even as the story stretches beyond the bounds of zoological accuracy. If one wants a window into a living Antarctic community, the visuals deliver that without sacrificing entertainment. SURF’S UP takes a different route with a bright, stylized look. The characters are more colorful and exaggerated, and the focus remains on story momentum rather than lifelike texture. The surfing sequences are a highlight, delivering speed, timing, and a sense of splash that keeps eyes glued to the action. Score: HAPPY FEET – 2 SURF’S UP – 2
ROUND 5: MAIN MESSAGE HAPPY FEET carries a message about being different that resonates in a world quick to label. Its deeper current links personal acceptance to ecological responsibility, with a narrative that suggests humans have contributed to the threats facing wildlife and that action from people could alter the outcome. The movie ties heart, humor, and a call to stewardship into a single, memorable package. SURF’S UP offers a more familiar set of lessons. It emphasizes friendship, resilience, and the joy of pursuing a passion, underscoring that victory is not everything. While uplifting, these ideas sit comfortably within a traditional coming-of-age arc without delivering a bold, new statement. Score: HAPPY FEET – 3 SURF’S UP – 2
ROUND UP: FINAL THOUGHTS IN THE END, the competition tips decisively toward HAPPY FEET. Its combination of a soaring soundtrack, a fearless exploration of identity, and a message about responsibility tend to linger longer than the lighter surfer adventure. Cody fades into the background beside Mumble’s distinctive energy, making the penguin tale feel more emotionally substantial and commercially resonant. Citations: Happy Feet, Warner Bros.; Surf’s Up, Sony Pictures Animation.