As a huge Jim Carrey fan I was always going to see Mr Popper's Penguins but savaging reviews did make me hesitate just a little.
Then again, Jim Carrey has rarely received rave reviews which is an occupational hazard when you make as many outrageous comedies as he has.
MPP is not in the 'outrageous' category - it is not Dumb & Dumber, Liar Liar or Yes Man - it is very lightweight and family friendly (note the G rating) but it is still pretty funny.
Carrey is Tom Popper, a career obsessed businessman who is the product of a father who was never at home and communicated with him via shortwave radio from all over the world.
He's divorced and sees his two kids on alternate weekends. Just as he is about to attempt to buy a prime piece of real estate a package arrives that contains a live penguin, a bequest from his father.
A mix-up in trying to get the penguin returned sees five more arrive and they take up residence in Popper's apartment, much to to delight of his children.
As he tries to fend off a creepy zookeeper who has sinister plans for the penguins he finds their presence the key to winning back his family's love.
There's not much more to tell. The penguins are largely CGI (though apparently some scenes use real ones) and there's a funny disclaimer at the end saying 'no penguins were harmed in the making of the movie but Jim Carrey was pecked mercilessly - but he had it coming!' Nice.
It's an enjoyable, kid friendly, movie with some good clean laughs and a pretty solid cast to help it along.
Angela Lansbury pops up as Mrs Van Gundy, the owner of the business Popper is trying to buy, and Ophelia Lovibond (who looks an awful lot like Melissa George) is quite amusing as Pippi, Popper's assistant with a penchant for popping the letter 'P'.
This isn't high art but if you're a Carrey fan it's a nice distraction for a while. 7 out of 10.
Then again, Jim Carrey has rarely received rave reviews which is an occupational hazard when you make as many outrageous comedies as he has.
MPP is not in the 'outrageous' category - it is not Dumb & Dumber, Liar Liar or Yes Man - it is very lightweight and family friendly (note the G rating) but it is still pretty funny.
Carrey is Tom Popper, a career obsessed businessman who is the product of a father who was never at home and communicated with him via shortwave radio from all over the world.
He's divorced and sees his two kids on alternate weekends. Just as he is about to attempt to buy a prime piece of real estate a package arrives that contains a live penguin, a bequest from his father.
A mix-up in trying to get the penguin returned sees five more arrive and they take up residence in Popper's apartment, much to to delight of his children.
As he tries to fend off a creepy zookeeper who has sinister plans for the penguins he finds their presence the key to winning back his family's love.
There's not much more to tell. The penguins are largely CGI (though apparently some scenes use real ones) and there's a funny disclaimer at the end saying 'no penguins were harmed in the making of the movie but Jim Carrey was pecked mercilessly - but he had it coming!' Nice.
It's an enjoyable, kid friendly, movie with some good clean laughs and a pretty solid cast to help it along.
Angela Lansbury pops up as Mrs Van Gundy, the owner of the business Popper is trying to buy, and Ophelia Lovibond (who looks an awful lot like Melissa George) is quite amusing as Pippi, Popper's assistant with a penchant for popping the letter 'P'.
This isn't high art but if you're a Carrey fan it's a nice distraction for a while. 7 out of 10.
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