Pebble and the Penguin

UPC: 027616067814

Studio: MGM

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:null

Summary: This heartwarming animated tale--reportedly inspired by a National Geographic documentary--follows the exploits of a shy penguin, Hubie, who is hopelessly enamored with Marina, but must compete with the ultra macho, puffed up Drake, who wants her to be his life mate. In order to win her, one of them must present her with a suitable pebble. Hubie finds a doozy of an emerald-like stone to give her, but before he can deliver it, the wicked Drake pushes him into the roiling sea and Hubi is swept away. Eventually Hubie is captured by traders. He must make it home within 10 days or Drake will claim his beloved Mariana. Songs are sung, action ensues, and ultimately, happiness prevails. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Category: Adventure

Features: No Stone Unturned: making of featurette
"Now and Forever": music featurette
5 fun, interactive games

Pebble and the Penguin

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 03/27/2007

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD5.0 Dolby Digital 5.0, DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 74 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 2

Language(s) English,Spanish

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Pebble and the Penguin: Main Feature
1. Main Titles
2. Secret Love
3. "Sometimes I Wonder"
4. "Now and Forever"
5. "The Good Ship Misery"
6. New Arrival
7. Escape Plan
8. Breaking Out
9. The Dream of Flight
10. Homeward Bound
11. Lifesaver
12. "Don't Make Me Laugh"
13. Make Believe
14. "Sometimes I Wonder" (Reprise)
15. Sealbait
16. "Looks Like I Got Me a Friend"
17. Killers!
18. Take Your Best Shot
19. Happily Ever After
20. End Titles

Craig Butler

One of animator Don Bluth's lesser efforts, The Pebble and the Penguin is cute but little more. The primary culprit is the script; aside from the unusual setting and small parcels of information about Emperor penguins, is hackneyed and uninvolving. The decision to focus on the relationship between Hubie and Rocko (while relegating the leading female character to nothing more than a trite damsel-in-distress role) is unfortunate, as the writers bring nothing new to the "buddy" concept and their attempts at humorous dialogue for the pair are often painful. With the exception of a song that pays homage to Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman songs are even worse. Bluth is incapable of creating bad animation, and there are several sequences (especially those taking place underwater) that have moments of beauty; overall, however, the animation doesn't have enough sparkle to breathe life into the movie. The cast is certainly not at fault, with Martin Short doing everything short of bursting through the screen to hold the viewer's attention, Tim Drake turning in a reliably sinister performance, and Annie Golden lending her powerful and unique belt to the little she is given to sing. Penguin is not totally without charm -- but the amount it has could almost be fit into a pebble. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Will Ryan  Actor 
Stan Jones  Actor 
Neil Ross  Actor 
Louise Vallance  Actor 
Hamilton Camp  Actor 
B.J. Ward  Actor 
Angeline Ball  Actor 
Shani Wallis  Actor 
James Belushi  Actor 
Pat Musick  Actor 
Kendall Cunningham  Actor 
Don Bluth  Director 
Don Bluth  Producer 
Gary Goldman  Director 
Gary Goldman  Producer 
Barry Manilow  Composer (Music Score) 
Bruce Sussman  Composer (Music Score) 
Mark Watters  Composer (Music Score) 
Russell Boland  Producer 
Rachel Koretsky  Screenwriter 
Steve Whitestone  Screenwriter 
James Butterworth  Executive Producer 
Martin Short  Actor 
Annie Golden  Actor 
Tim Curry  Actor 

Country: USA