Which was better, 'Mr. Popper's Penguins' the book or the movie?

I recently got the chance to read the 1938 children’s book, “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” and I really enjoyed reading it. I knew that a movie version of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” had hit theatres over a year or so ago, but I’d never seen it. I got the movie through NetFlix recently, and while I enjoyed it, I was somewhat disappointed by how different it was from the book.

Released on June 17, 2011, the motion picture version of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” stars Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Madeline Carroll, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Angela Lansbury and Philip Baker Hall. Rated PG and 94 minutes long, the movie was directed by Mark Waters. The movie reaped over $187 million at the box office against a shooting budget of around $55 million.

In the movie, Mr. Popper is Thomas “Tom” Popper Jr. Unlike the Mr. Popper in the book, who is a poor house painter, Tom Popper is a wealthy real estate salesman. His father, who has led a life of adventure around the world, dies during a trip to Antarctica. In his will, his father leaves him a “souvenir from his last adventures.” A week or so later, a crate arrives containing a gentoo penguin. Later, five more arrive by mail from his father’s assistant in Antarctica.

Popper initially tries to get rid of the penguins, but changes his mind when his son comes to believe that they are his birthday presents. Popper has to turn his apartment into a polar winter wonderland to suit the penguins, which results in all sorts of funny situations as he tries to hid it all from his neighbors and employers. In the end, Popper, his family and the penguins all end up in Antarctica for a grand finale that indicated a possible sequel.

Even though this movie hasn’t been out that long, it has garnered a few awards and award nominations. It won for Best Film Music at the 2012 BMI Film Music Awards. Also, Jim Carrey was nominated for Favorite Movie Actor at the 2012 Blimp Awards for his performance in “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” Carrey was also nominated for a Most Inspiring Performance in Movies Award during the 2012 Grace Awards for his role in the movie.

I read several bits of trivia about this movie that I found interesting. According to the Internet Movie Database, live penguins were used in certain shots throughout the movie and much of it was shot on refrigerated sets. Also, while Jim Carrey ultimately got the lead role, the role of Tom Popper almost went to Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. Stiller was actually cast for the role at the start, but when Mark Waters replaced Noah Baumbach as director, he backed out.

In the end, I enjoyed watching the “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” movie, even though it was different than the book. How many of you have seen this movie? What did you think about it? Did you like it or not? What was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments section below.

To learn more about the “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” movie, visit its official Web site at http://www.popperspenguins.com/penguinwintergames.