The Pebble and the Penguin

Rating:
Summary: "I think it's the best!"
Review: "My name is Elly, and I am five years old. I like this movie because it's so interesting. It helps me learn about penguins.

That's what my daughter thinks about this movie. If she could, she would watch it over and over. She loves it.

Rating:
Summary: True love
Review: A shy and not so tough penguin named Hubie (Martin Short) falls in love with the good looking Marina (Annie Golden). Once he finds out that he might actually have a chance to be Marina's mate for the upcoming mating season, he tries to find her the most spectacular pebble possible. For this group of penguins, a pebble is just like a wedding ring that we humans use. But there's some rough and icy waters in store for Hubie. Not only is there a macho penguin who also wants Marina, but humans and of course whales, may also pose a threat.

Back when I was a kid, I wanted to see "The Pebble and the Penguin" when it first came out in 1995, but I never got the chance to see it until today. I have to admit that it's not as good as I thought it would be, but it wasn't bad either. It has good animation, it's mildly entertaining, and it would probably be especially great for kids who like animated movies. However, on the bad side, it could've been a lot better in almost every aspect and I was disappointed with the music.

Rating:
Summary: Who knew penguins could fight?
Review: A shy and not so tough penguin named Hubie (Martin Short) falls in love with the good looking Marina (Annie Golden). Once he finds out that he might actually have a chance to be Marina's mate for the upcoming mating season, he tries to find her the most spectacular pebble possible. For this group of penguins, a pebble is just like a wedding ring that we humans use. But there's some rough and icy waters in store for Hubie. Not only is there a macho penguin who also wants Marina, but humans and of course whales, may also pose a threat.

Back when I was a kid, I wanted to see "The Pebble and the Penguin" when it first came out in 1995, but I never got the chance to see it until today. I have to admit that it's not as good as I thought it would be, but it wasn't bad either. It has good animation, it's mildly entertaining, and it would probably be especially great for kids who like animated movies. However, on the bad side, it could've been a lot better in almost every aspect and I was disappointed with the music.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent.... but it can be improved.
Review: An excellent movie. One of the best kid's movies i have seen. People complain of the storyline as being bland, stupid... keep in mind that this is a good kid's movie and that good kid's movies shouldn't have intricate twists, thought provoking events, and unsolved mysteries.

This is a good storyline, plain and simple, it is about a penguin named Hubie who is seeking the love of the beautiful Marina. However, Hubie is not the only one after Marina, the egostistic penguin Drake also has his eye on her. Drake is a large strong penguin who always gets his way. He casts Hubie out to sea and in a race against time Hubie must make it back before the full moon ceremony, which is where each bachelor penguin proposes his love to the lady penguin he most adores - if she accepts they are coupled forever.

An EXCELLENT storyline to create a brilliant movie BUT..... Don Bluth has made his movie fall much short of what it could've been. If he had of spent more time making the film it would be as famous and unforgettable as the Lion King, A Bug's Life, and The Jungle Book. It appears Bluth rushed the movie. Hubie, his friend later in the film Rocko, Marina and Drake are extremely easy to recognise. The bulk of the other penguins are drawn virtually the same and play almost no role what so ever. What Bluth should have done was introduce other characters into the story and give them a life, have some recognisable large penguins friends or subordinates of Drake. Marina should also have a large circle of friends which we are introduced to and see what happens to them later in the film. More characters = more interesting and appealing to larger range of audiences. Hubie could've been one main character of several bachelors trying to win the love of the ladies they most adore. Each bachelor/lady penguin experiencing a different crisis when trying to find their love, Hubie being just one of them.

Bluth should have built off of this good storyline into something much much better. The songs suit the movie very well, more could've been added if the storyline covered other penguins. This movie is quite a unique one, and having the voices of Martin Short as Hubie, Annie Golden as Marina, the one and only Tim Curry as Drake, and last but not least James Belushi as Rocko, no other actors could've played the characters better. Another small annoyance, in the background you may see penguins not moving, not doing a thing, just being ornaments. This once again indicates how rushed the movie was and it would be better (but this would take up more time) to give them life. Running for a small 76 minutes once again it would run longer if the storyline was built on.

If Bluth did improve his movie as talked about i would buy it in a flash. Bluth could've done so much better, it appears he is falling in reputation with his movies not being up to scratch. THIS FILM HAS THE MOST POTENTIAL I HAVE EVER SEEN IN A FILM. So much could've been done to make this movie a world class masterpiece. Don Bluth was slack with it though and threw it on the market as quickly as he could, no doubt to get cash from it as soon as possible.

Now then, i have finished talking about the ups and the potential this movie had to become something indifferent to brilliant. if only it was worked on more. Who knows, maybe Bluth will improve it later in life, i hope he does but for now we can watch this excellent movie and enjoy it as is. I enjoyed this movie and believe it as a must get for the kiddies. It doesn't get 5 stars because of its minor glitches and sadly ignored potential... I hope you found my opinion useful.

Rating:
Summary: Can't compete with Disney
Review: Bland animation, embarassing acting (if you can call it that), stupid plotline, and overall, a mushy, moronic movie. The only thing that saves it from getting one star is the fact that the marvelous Tim Curry provides the voice of Drake and Martin Short as the voice of Hubie. Otherwise, very, very, forgettable, but not as bad as Little Nemo:Adventures In Slumberland.

Rating:
Summary: a romance/adventure watched obessively
Review: GEt,I repeat get this film. It is a cute story about penguin seeking true love.He faces a vicious rival who desires the same girl penguin. Hubie Maybe at times annoying. His story is a testimony of true love and faithfullness. The story at times makes me cry. Get this movie. sniff, sniff,sniffle!

Rating:
Summary: One of the Worst Movies Ever
Review: How could the same creator of such great movies as "An American Tail", "Land Before Time"(Not the sequels), and "Secret of NIHM", come out with such drivel?! Next to "Rock-a-Doodle" and "Thumblina", this is one of the worst movies that ever had the name Don Bluth attatched to it! First of all, the plot was completly crappy and poorly developed. A doofus penguin is shipped to some island and has to make it back to the Antarctic to save his girl from some freak mutant penguin by the next full moon? And in the process, he has time to kill by singing stupid songs, just acting stupid, and having neverending conflicts with his newfound friend, Rocko.

Next problem would have to be the characters. All the penguins are way too fruity, with Hubie being the fruitiest of all. Why the heck does he have such visible eye-lashes?? On Little Foot it's cute, but for goodness sakes this is a grown man!!! "Goodness glaciers????" Marina was the damsel in this movie and while she is okay there's one thing that bothers me... Wouldn't that flower on her head DIE in the cold especially without any water, soil, or nutrients, or is it made of plastic? What is wrong with Drake?? What the heck kinda penguin is he anyway? And why does he have a butt for a chest? I've heard Tim Curry do some impressive villian voices, but here he sounded like a doofus! Rocko is probably the only character I don't mind in this whole film. BUT HOW THE HECK COULD HE FLY??? It's not the fact that penguins can't fly, but rather he was doing so without flapping his wings thus defying all laws of physics! Then there were those little birds who had no purpose whatsoever except to be kids and exist. It's just like those stupid Jitterbugs in Thumblina. Sad really. Plus they never mentioned the girl's name. I'm sure they did in the credits, but who's gonna stay for THAT??

Bottom line this movie stank up the place! I don't say things without reasons, and these are my reasons! Hope Don Bluth can crank out something better to save his reputation. They should try and make an opening that is less "Happy Days!"

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful movie that my children also love.
Review: Hubie the penguin finds the perfect pebble even though he is less than perfect. He gets chased by hugh seals and struggles with another stronger penguin that also wants the same (girl) penguin. Hubie never gives up. He is happy and positive and shows that even a shy nerd can get the girl. A very hearwarming movie for all ages.

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best animated films that I've ever seen.
Review: I began to watch this film without expecting much. Admittedly, it does not feature the best animation, but that is not the most important feature in an animated film. It's not the 'Lion King' or 'Dinasaur', but I don't think that it was meant to be. The story is about a love triangle between a good-guy penguin named Hubie, his sweetheart Marina and the egotistical and pompous Drake - this penguin is willing to stoop or bully his way to any level to marry Marina, who is not very interested in him. Hubie must beat the clock to find the most precious pebble and make it back in time, braving all kinds of weather and challenging situations in order to wed Marina. This love-triangle theme of the film was not too 'grown-up', was handled well, and is suitable for children of all ages.

The film is both sad (without being too over-the-top) and funny. The dialogue between the characters is both original and hilarious, and the film in general is very wacky, as were some of the songs. Drake's over-the-top rendition of "Don't make me laugh" had me splitting my sides. James Belushi's characterization of Rocko was perfectly fitted to his natural humour and temperament, and Tim Curry did a great job of Drake. This film is the perfect example of not expecting much from a film, but getting everything. If you like a lot of fun, you will probably love this film.

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best animated films that I've ever seen.
Review: I began to watch this film without expecting much. Admittedly, it does not feature the best animation, but that is not the most important feature in an animated film. It's not the 'Lion King' or 'Dinasaur', but I don't think that it was meant to be. The story is about a love triangle between a good-guy penguin named Hubie, his sweetheart Marina and the egotistical and pompous Drake - this penguin is willing to stoop or bully his way to any level to marry Marina, who is not very interested in him. Hubie must beat the clock to find the most precious pebble and make it back in time, braving all kinds of weather and challenging situations in order to wed Marina. This love-triangle theme of the film was not too 'grown-up', was handled well, and is suitable for children of all ages.

The film is both sad (without being too over-the-top) and funny. The dialogue between the characters is both original and hilarious, and the film in general is very wacky, as were some of the songs. Drake's over-the-top rendition of "Don't make me laugh" had me splitting my sides. James Belushi's characterization of Rocko was perfectly fitted to his natural humour and temperament, and Tim Curry did a great job of Drake. This film is the perfect example of not expecting much from a film, but getting everything. If you like a lot of fun, you will probably love this film.