There has been no shortage in recent months of family films chronicling the misadventures of quirky, cuddly animals. “Happy Feet” is a cut above them all. It is a work of art, an animated movie of rare depth that combines digital wizardry with a thoughtful, thought-provoking story. It doesn’t talk down to the children who comprise the bulk of its target audience. It challenges them with a substantive plea for environmental awareness, framed within the context of a bubbly musical comedy.

Anyone expecting the standard litany of pop-culture references and hokey one-liners will not find them here. Yes, “Happy Feet” is loaded with song-and-dance numbers inspired by Prince, DMX and Elvis, but they’re rarely intrusive — in fact, they prove an integral part of the story. Mumble (Elijah Wood) is a young Emperor penguin who can’t carry a tune. That’s a problem, because singing is an importantpart of the penguin mating ritual. Mumble’s parents fear he will spend his days alone.