Home cinema showcases don’t come much more vibrant than the visually brilliant Happy Feet Two. Astonishingly well presented, in crystal clear 1080p, it’s a film that, from the off, rewards any decent investment made in home cinema equipment. 3D, too, has a habit of working best in animated productions, and there’s ample evidence of that on offer here. It’s not quite dancing penguins leaping off the screen, but it’s not too far off.

Not that the film needs expensive hardware, though, to work its charms. Taking its cue from the original, Happy Feet Two once more integrates toe-tapping music, lots of penguins, and no shortage of comedy. It’s the music that lifts the film and gives it its distinction, though. Wonderfully staged, the musical numbers are great fun, and the heart of the family entertainment that the film offers.

The Blu-ray also builds heavily on the family appeal, with some welcome features for younger audience members. The sing-a-long songs encourage you to join in with the musical mayhem, for instance, and are some of the highlights of the supplements. Look, too, at the How To Draw A Penguin guide. Perhaps it’s all a little shy on detailed making of material, but then Happy Feet Two, both the film and the Blu-ray, have been put together with entertaining a younger audience in mind. And whilst the movie itself isn’t the equal of its Oscar-winning forerunner, it’s still good fun, and unlikely to leave you feeling shortchanged.

And it really does look and sound stunning, too. --Jon Foster