Starring: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Bill Hader, Madeline Carroll Directed by: Mark Waters
The Forecast Calls for Chaos.
The flock is back, and the chaos is cooler than ever. Mr. Popper’s Penguins 2: The Big Freeze returns to the screen, sliding into theaters with a fresh dose of tuxedoed trouble. Tom Popper (the incomparable Jim Carrey) is living his best life; his relationship with his children is strong, his romance with Amanda (Carla Gugino) is rekindled, and he has fully embraced his reputation as New York’s premiere amateur penguin expert.
A Vacation Gone South
However, domestic bliss is interrupted when Captain, Loudy, Bitey, and the rest of the gang start acting strangely. They are lethargic, refusing fresh sardines, and staring longingly at the ice cubes in the freezer. The diagnosis? “Polar Depression.” Realizing his feathered family needs to reconnect with their roots, Popper decides to trade the penthouse for a parka. He organizes the ultimate family vacation: a “return to the wild” expedition to Antarctica.
The Elastic-Faced Explorer
Jim Carrey returns with his signature elastic-faced energy, trying to maintain control as a serious expedition leader, only to turn the trip into a masterclass in slapstick survival. From setting up tents in gale-force winds to trying to communicate with local wildlife, Popper proves he is entirely out of his element outside of Central Park.
The Ice-Cold Villain
The vacation turns into a rescue mission when their research vessel crosses paths with a greedy industrialist, played with cynical hilarity by Bill Hader. This tech-billionaire villain plans to melt a pristine section of the ice shelf to build an exclusive, high-end luxury resort for the ultra-rich. He sees the penguins not as majestic creatures, but as pests in the way of progress.
Home Alone on an Iceberg
When the villain hijacks their ship and strands the family, Popper must lead a resistance. The comedy escalates into a frozen version of Home Alone. The penguins—now accompanied by a clumsy, adorable new generation of chicks—become a tactical unit. Under Popper’s frantic direction, they outsmart the mercenaries with elaborate, icy booby traps.
Expect high-speed sled chases, a daring rescue involving a pod of sympathetic killer whales, and a showdown on a crumbling glacier. Mr. Popper’s Penguins 2 balances the zany humor with a heartwarming message about conservation. It proves that you can take the penguin out of the pole, but you can’t take the pole out of the penguin—and that saving the day is slippery business.
Key Highlights of the Sequel:
- The Comedy: Classic Jim Carrey physical humor mixed with Bill Hader’s dry, sarcastic wit creates a perfect comedic duel.
- The Action: Creative set-pieces using ice slides, snowball cannons, and penguin belly-sliding physics.
- The Message: A touching look at how we must protect the habitats of the creatures we love, ensuring the ice stays frozen for generations to come.