America, when are you going to get tired of CGI animals dancing to dated pop hits? We've already gotten Yogi and the Bear, Alvin and the Chipmunks and a "squeakquel" to that (with Chip-wrecked on the way). Now, the marketing wizards in Hollywood have taken a beloved children's book, cast Jim Carrey and added a penguin dance sequence set to Vanilla Ice. I would have loved to see the high fives when they thought of that one.
Despite the fact that Carrey seems like he's barely trying here, this trailer looked at least acceptable up until that dance sequence. I mean, at least the penguins don't make any wisecracks, right? But then sure enough, that riff from "Under Pressure" starts up and the trailer goes exactly where you would expect. Though in all fairness, the fact that they actually ended this preview with, "word to your mother" caught me off guard.
The only reason to possibly give this one the benefit of the doubt is that it's directed by Mark Waters, who often manages to infuse broad material with with some wit and intelligence, as was the case with Freaky Friday and Mean Girls (Though Tina Fey may deserve more credit for the latter). Anyway, if he pulled it off here, it sure doesn't come through in this trailer.
Verdict: Pass.