Mr. Popper's Penguins

Mr. Popper's Penguins is a live-action family comedy film distributed by 20th Century Fox starring Jim Carrey, based on the children's book of the same name. The film was originally slated for a release on August 12, 2011, but was moved up to June 17, 2011.

Plot

Mr. Tom Popper (Jim Carrey) is a divorced realtor whose father traveled to many far places around the world during his childhood. When his father dies, a crate containing a penguin shows up at his doorstep. Eventually, due to a miscommunication, more penguins arrive, bringing the total to six. Originally intending to donate the penguins to the local zoo, Popper's children fall in love with them so he decides to keep them. At the same time, Popper is given the task of buying Tavern on the Green, an old restaurant that he used to eat at with his father as a child, with the intent of tearing it down and building a new development in its place. However, its elderly owner (Angela Lansbury) will only sell it to someone who she deems a person of true value.

Having the penguins around helps Popper to become closer to his children, and he begins dating their mother again. The penguins eventually lay three eggs. Two of the eggs hatch, and one does not. Popper becomes obsessed with saving the last egg, losing his job in the process. Upon realizing that the egg cannot be saved, Popper feels he is not capable of raising the penguins and donates them to the zoo. He then refocuses his attention on purchasing the Tavern on the Green. His children and ex-wife, however, are disappointed in his decision, seeing it as wrong.

Popper then finds a lost letter from his father which had been delivered with the first penguin. In it, his father tells him to hold his children close and love them, just as this penguin would love him. He becomes guilt-ridden over his decision to give away the penguins and determines to go to the zoo to take them back. Along with his ex-wife and children, Popper rescues the penguins, who were going to be separated and traded to other zoos. Upon seeing how Popper has reunited his family and rescued the penguins, the owner of Tavern on the Green agrees to sell him the restaurant. Rather than tear it down as originally planned, Popper renovates the restaurant and reopens it.

At the end of the film, Popper and his family go to Antarctica with the penguins, allowing them to live with their own kind. Popper's first penguin, Captain, is revealed to have laid another egg. Popper tells his children that they'll have to come back and visit when the baby is born.

Production

Originally Ben Stiller was going to play Mr. Popper, and Noah Baumbach was originally going to direct; however, they both dropped out. Owen Wilson, Jack Black and Jim Carrey were all considered to replace Stiller, with the role eventually going to Carrey. Mark Waters was chosen to direct. Filming began in October 2010 and finished in January 2011.

On September 21, 2010, it was confirmed that Carla Gugino had joined the cast.

Rhythm and Hues Studios did the penguin animations for certain shots.

Cast

Jim Carrey as Tom Popper

Ophelia Lovibond as Pippi

Carla Gugino as Amanda Popper

Madeline Carroll as Janie Popper

Maxwell Perry Cotton as Billy Popper

Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Van Gundy

Philip Baker Hall as Mr. Franklin

Dominic Chianese as Mr. Reader

Clark Gregg as Nat Jones

Henry Kelemen as Young Tom Popper #1

Dylan Clark Marshall as Young Tom Popper #2

Frank Welker as the voice of Captain, Nimrod, Stinky, Lovey, Loudy and Bitey

Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of Baby penguins

Reception

The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 43% and a consensus reading "blandly inoffensive and thoroughly predictable.

It was also featured on the South Park episode, You're Getting Old in which Stan sees Jim Carrey playing with "shit".