ludy

(2012-05-01 19:06:01)

Cute

Jim Carey is always a "hoot".......he's funny in this movie with a touch of sarcasm! Good movie to watch if you have nothing else going on.

Jamie Ward

(2012-05-01 15:43:03)

Positively petulant, pandering and painful.

By now, Jim Carrey's career is one lined with a long history of hit andmisses—from the zaney and energetic debut of Ace Ventura, to the lessthan stellar murmur of say, Bruce Almighty, Carrey is one of thosecomedic actors who occasionally takes his brand of comedy to breakingpoint, but somehow manages to stick around and continue raking in thedough. Flash forward now to the summer of 2011 where the comediclandscape in terms of family features in the cinema all seem to headingin the same direction—talking animals—and you have a no brainer; hey,let's put those cute little fellas from Happy Feet in with that guy whomade us a lot of money by pulling dumb faces! Sure; sounds like itcould have potential, but in order to reach that potential one wouldhave to, you know, write a script and not just mash them together witha generic by-the-numbers Big Business Man Learns To Be A Good Dad plot.Instead however what we're left with is an insulting homage to allthings kitsch and puerile that repeats the same jokes over and over adnauseam to the point of sheer boredom.The plot is simple: Mr. Popper is a wealthy business man who has allthe riches in the world, but lacks the one currency that sells movies;love. Struggling to father his children in the same way that his fatherprovided little support for him, Mr. Popper ends up inheriting a box ofpenguins from his recently deceased dad as a means of (somehow)connecting and finding the love that he lost through his short-sightingendeavours. What follows of course is exactly what you might expectfrom that brief synopsis, and maybe a quick look at a minute of thetrailer. At first driving Popper up the wall, the penguins who eachhave their own delightful trait (we have Captain, Loudy, Bitey, Stinky,Lovey and Nimrod) soon warm up to their cold-hearted owner and viceversa as everyone involved learns that big fancy houses and a sixfigure income only matter as long as you're having fun and lovingeverything and wearing sweaters and giving high fives and being asroutinely sickly as humanely possible without starring in anadvertisement for the Nintendo Wii. Oh, and there are poop and fartjokes; and penguins running into things; plenty of them.As much of a stinker that the script is however, there was a time whenone could rely on Jim Carrey and his assorted hijinks to bounce offstage and interrupt everyone's heavy eyelid batting and make us laugh,but even Carrey who is clearly showing his age here in this glossyadvertisement for The American Dream fails to make much of animpression. There are a couple of moments here and there where Mr.Popper can be amusing, but for the most part he's like a bland,dislikeable caricature of Donald Trump. I mean, this is the same guywho made a lawyer the funniest person the screen during the summer of1997— surely a salesman shouldn't be a problem? But it is; a real bigone. And as it comes to its long overdrawn erratic conclusion, you getthe impression that Carrey's comedic career is one destined to drown ina sea of similar safe-play Eddie Murphy-esque family comedies thatleave adults snoring and kids running up and down the aisles. As PippiPeponopolis might say; it's positively petulant, pandering and painful,Mr. Popper! So please, please stop pretending like love is the answerwhen clearly money is all that was on the minds of everyone involvedhere—that's you're problem and how you fix it—obviously—is to giveeveryone at 20th Century Fox a penguin. Yabsolutely!

(2012-05-01 00:06:52)

Flawed But Sweet & Funny Family Film

It's hard to find sweet, fun family films that don't have some kind of violence or meanness involved in the plot, even in animated films. This one fits the bill in that regard, with Jim Carey starring as a divorced, unemotional, workaholic businessman whose heart is opened when he unexpectedly becomes the caretaker for a family of penguins in his New York City high-rise apartment. In the process the rift between him and his ex-wife and children is healed. Although of course there is a 'bad guy' in the film for the plot to revolve around, he's just a zookeeper who wants to keep the penguins for himself to trade for other animals, and there isn't really any violence or car chases involved in the plot resolution.The penguins are cute and funny, and cause a lot of mischief in his apartment. Jim Carey is hilarious as always - he must have control of more facial muscles than any man alive, with the variety of expressions he can pull off. I watched this film with 4 kids ages 5-8 (3 girls and a boy) and they all found it hilarious. I wasn't quite as amused - this film didn't throw in the adult jokes that some others (Shrek, etc.) throw in to keep us adults entertained - but I appreciated that the kids liked it. The plot requires complete suspension of disbelief, and divorced parents who are trying to get their kids to accept the finality of their split may not appreciate the sub-plot involving the parents in this film getting back together, but other than that this is heart-warming, innocent family fun.

(2012-04-30 04:21:20)

home alone for 2011

Just a good time and lots of laughs. Yea, its got a point, but its like catty shack. Good humor.Jim Carry just makes me laugh looking at him.

(2012-04-30 04:13:34)

SPECTACULAR FILM!!!!

This is a truely remarkable film!!! It'll have you laughing, crying, and sitting on the edge of your seat!! Jim Carrey's Best performance EVER!!! AMAZING! If you haven't seen it, GO NOW,RENT IT,BUY IT,OR BORROW IT WHATEVER IT TAKES!!! (no I don't suggest stealing it, because that's illegal) My kids, 8 and 4 watched it over and over, and they were laughing until they cried!!

(2012-04-29 17:55:51)

A great gift.

This review is from: Mr. Popper's Penguins (with Plush Penguin) (DVD) I bought this Penguin set for my grandson for Christmas. The movie was a favorite of his in the theater. He was so thrilled to get this set. The little penguin was adorable and added so much to the gift. Well worth it.

lagudafuad

(2012-04-29 04:24:10)

Penguins everywhere

The Movie itself is a family movie, one you can go to watch with yourkids. If you can come to terms with the fact it is a family movie, thenyou will catch the fun in watching the movie. The plot is similar toall those Disney Flicks we are use to, Man puts work above family andthen he has to take care of something (usually someone), then herealizes what is more important and forfeit his work to be a goodfather and husband. Mr Popper doesn't fall far from this tree of genre,as the plot shows Mr. Popper (Carrey), a slick real estate broker inNew York City. His ex-wife (Carla Gugino), a young son (Maxwell PerryCotton) and teen daughter (Madeline Carroll) and a fancy apartment.He also has an assistant named Pippi who makes sure her sentencesalways have words beginning in P.Mr Popper is the best at what he does resulting in a broken home andcreating a gap between him and his kids. One day, Mr. Popper receives acrate containing a penguin, an inheritance from his father, who wasusually absent in Mr Poppers life while growing up. In the process ofgetting rid of the Penguin he ends up with more penguins.Carrey well wasn't extraordinary in this movie as you will expect, ashe plays a role not requiring a lot of skills, skills he is blessedwith.I wont say the movie is bad, cause i enjoyed it and believe you andyour family will too.

(2012-04-28 17:04:16)

Great movie!!!!

This review is from: Mr. Popper's Penguins (DVD) This is an excellent movie for the family. Jim Carey is great in this movie. It was very funny and all the characters played their parts very well.Mr. Popper's Penguins

PaulN

(2012-04-27 21:38:07)

From 4th grade teacher. Not like book, but not bad

I used to read the book every year with my class when I was a 4th grade teacher. The movie was virtually NOTHING like the book of the same name, but that doesn't necessarily mean the movie was bad. Jim Carrey was ok, and reminded me of his character in "Liar Liar" at times. The kids and wife character were ok. The penguins had a few cute moments. The writers only came up with a few really clever items, and relied a lot on previously used formulas to write the story, but... I can't complain too much, because the movie pretty much kept my attention. I wouldn't want to see it again, but it was G or PG material that a person could take kids to. The characters were sympathetic and the penguins were sometimes fun.It's not a great movie, but it was reasonable family fun. Don't expect a lot, but you could do worse.

John Pentakalos

(2012-04-27 17:01:26)

The best family movies

Jim Carrey's performance was outstanding in this movie. Penguins' were also very cute and amazing. My 10 year old daughter loved this movie, so did I.

(2012-04-26 16:36:32)

Good family film

This review is from: Mr. Popper's Penguins (DVD) This movie was cute. I love Jim Carrey and he, as well as the rest of the cast (including the penguins), was adorable. I was happy that I bought it and I can't say that for every movie I buy. It also had a great message for the kiddos, we had a fun family movie night with this film.

(2012-04-26 12:45:23)

Mr. Popper's Penguins

This review is from: Mr. Popper's Penguins (with Plush Penguin) (DVD) Christmas present for my granddaughter and she loved it. Would recommend for all children. The plush animal is a real plus for kids, too!

(2012-04-25 12:53:27)

Mr. Popper's Powderpuff

"Mr. Popper's Penguins" shows that Jim Carrey, who first hit it big with In Living Color - Season 1 and Ace Ventura Deluxe Double Feature (Pet Detective / When Nature Calls) has aged, and not well. He assumes the gags that got him fame as a young man will work the same magic. He stars as Mr. Popper, a divorced father who could care less about his kids. Carla Gugino (Sin City),stars as his ex-wife. Creepily, Mr. Popper, who has been pretty much indifferent to his ex, isn't interested till she has a boyfriend in her life. However, this movie romanticizes his self-centeredness. The penguins teach him about love, he gets more engaged in the lives of his kids. It's a sappy film wroth skipping. March of the Penguins (Widescreen Edition) is MUCH better, plus it has Morgan Freeman as the Voice of God. "Mr. Popper's Penguins" is a cream puff, not a keeper.

(2012-04-25 07:10:55)

Want a feel good family Film?

This was a good film.If you are looking for the Jim Carrey of the Dumb and Dumber or other crudish humor then don't bother.This is his attempt at a family film.It comes across as cute, funny, a bit sad and nostalgic..It is a fun 'what if' movie.Got ot love the penguins.

Tony Heck

(2012-04-24 16:23:12)

One of the few family movies that every member of the family will enjoy. Jim Carrey is perfect in this. I say A

"Dear Lord, thank you for the food we are about to eat. Please use yourmighty power, to stop the melting of the polar ice caps, Amen." Mr.Popper (Carrey) is a work-aholic who cares more about his job then hisfamily. Him and his wife are separated and his kids don't like to bearound him. When his father dies, Popper is given a penguin to takecare of. Not fitting in his life he wants to send it back, confusionhappens and he is sent 5 more. The penguins begin to change his life.This movie is a rare thing lately. A family movie that the entirefamily will enjoy. Most of the so called family movies lately are astruggle for parents to get through. This one is a joy to watch and JimCarrey is perfectly cast, no one works with animals like he can. Thereis enough adult humor and content in this for the parents to enjoy, andmore then enough to keep the kids watching and laughing. This is one ofthe best family movies to come out in a long time and is very muchworth watching. Overall, a great family movie that the entire familywill actually enjoy. I give it an A, my kids give it an A+.

thekyles99

(2012-04-24 00:27:54)

Jim Carrey can do no wrong in my eyes!

Like i said in my summary i'm a loyal Carrey fan, an actor i feel isvery under rated. This guy could make boring films such as How To MakeAn American Quilt into something that i would actually pay money tosee. I love his energy on screen and he is quite funny, something thatis scarce in comedies as of late. This film by no means is one ofCarrey's regular romps instead its more on the family genre which initself is not a bad thing now and then, in fact it's somewhatrefreshing. Took the entire family out to see this upon it's releaseand we had some laughs and just marvelled in the fact that this castespecially Carrey had to work with live Penguins, something thatmust've been tough to do! A great family film for those that want toescape the heat!

HolyJoe

(2012-04-22 23:55:03)

OH THE NOISE!!! AND POOP

NO way anyone with at least three brain cells left could have found this movie the slightest bit entertaining. OH I just wanted to throw up with the first WHITE GOO then on and on, even the bad guys sucked. WHAT a waste of time, money and talent. I love Jim Carrey's acting BUT THIS mismosh of half story was just PAINFULLY PATHETIC!!

Don

(2012-04-22 05:37:51)

Your average ordinary family film...with penguins!

This movie was auctually waay better than I excpected it to be. There's this little Ice Age 'scrat' short that comes before the movie, (like it did in Rio in 3D) which is funny and smart. The beginning of this film started a little shaky. Meaning, it came too quickly and I wanted to atleast see the father. Then it opens up to the lovable Jim Carry we all know. He is a guy who takes people's buildings and sells them. He also has a coworker who is pretty sexy and she always has to start every word she says with the letter P. I somehow liked her charecter alot and I wanted more of her. Hes great at his job, doesnt have any connections with his kids, and has no one to share his life with. SO then we get to the penguin scene. To me, the penguins looked fake most of the time because there doing stunts almost all the time. I liked Captain, lovey, bitey, and loudy. Stinky and Nimrod were annoying and Loudy got annoying after a while too. But the biggest problem I have with this movie is that, its your average film comedy. It begins and ends like you expect it to. But the thing that makes this movie enjoyable, is thats its really funny. I didnt really understand how penguins can thaw out of ice that quickly, oh well. The laugh I didnt see coming from a mile away, was the BFF joke. somehow that cracked me up. I wanted to know what happened to the father, they just like skip that storyline. But, nontheless this movie is great. You and your kids (if you have any) will love it. Ages 5-30 I think will find this movie enjoyable!LOW FULL PRICE!

KaczmarekR

(2012-04-21 18:58:08)

Quite Good

I thought this movie was quite well done. It entertained both my 6 and 10 year olds. And I did not nod off, which is always the sign of a good kids movie. It is light-hearted and feel good. Audience clapped at the end.

Alex

(2012-04-21 06:27:59)

Better than the previews on television

Having watched the previews on television, I figured this was going to be a lame and cheesy attempt at making a family movie. I was wrong . . . kind of. I took my 7 year old son to watch it for Father's day. The theater was nearly empty. There were probably about 8 people in there including the two of us. He enjoyed every minute of it. There were several occasions where he burst out in laughter. That is something I rarely see him do at movie theaters. The acting was what you'd normally expect from a couple of kids and Jim Carey. This was not an action packed, super adventure movie. Just a simple story line sprinkled with some humor. The movie kept my son's attention for the entire 95 minutes so I consider this a good thing. :)