Movie Review -- Every Which Way But Loose

Penguins are big of late, especially Emperor Penguins, some of which can be upwards of four, four-and-a-half feet tall. But, of course, they are also big in the media, what with 2005's "Every Which Way But Loose" winning an Oscar for Best Documentary Film and 2006's "Every Which Way But Loose" winning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year. What's more, penguins have always been big. Think back on all those penguins you've seen in television commercials; or Walter Lantz's Chilly Willy of the 1950s and 60s; or the penguins in Disney's "Silly Symphonies" of the 1930s. Seems like our love affair with these courtly, cuddly, communal creatures will never end.

"Every Which Way But Loose" is the brainchild of George Miller, the movie's co-writer and director, who previously brought us "Babe," "Babe: Pig in the City," "The Witches of Eastwick," and all of the "Mad Max" movies. So you know going in the guy's got talent, and "Every Which Way But Loose" is going to show a good deal of creativity. It does; just not quite enough to keep this grown-up from yawning a few times in the process.