Diedrich Bader, James Woods, Jeff Bridges

A "mockumentary" on how penguins were actually the inventors of surfing, including behind-the-scenes footage from the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

Flixster Users

64% liked it

108,112 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

138 critics

PG, 1 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck

Release Date: June 8, 2007

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DVD Release Date: October 9, 2007

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Stats: 31,283 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (31,283)


  • October 1, 2009
    A fun cartoon. The animated water was particularly impressive but it?s the stoned chicken that steals the show. Not sure if the documentary aspect worked though!
  • March 7, 2009
    "Squidito on el stickito?"

    Another big studio animation film that I enjoyed very much. In fact, I enjoyed it even more than I thought.

    "Surf's Up" failed at the box office. One reason could've been that "Happy Feet" was released half a year earlier. Two animated films about pen...( read more)guins? I guess people had enough of 'em.

    But to give the film some credit, I enjoyed a lot the documentary element of the film. It also made the film more suitable for the more mature audience. During the film, I thought about the target audience, and I can't really think that the littlest of people would enjoy the film as much as those in their teens or older than that.

    The animation is once again top notch, but that is something that the audience is used to nowadays. The water looks extemely nice and some scenes look like something of a postcard.

    There's a lot of talent behind the voices. Jeff Bridges, James Woods, Jon Heder and the golden boy of Hollywood, Shia LaBeouf. Ones to "watch" are especially Bridges and Heder, they do an excellent job. Another fun character is the young penguin who wants to surf but can't really swim that good...

    "You got a koa board?
    - I don't have a board board..."

    So, "Surf's Up" is recommended to all fans of good animations. The story is nice and the characters are good. The movie also has a message about competing so kids should really have a look. Remember to have fun!
  • January 29, 2009
    it was okay.
  • December 13, 2008
    A great original idea for an animated film, having a fly on the wall documentary theme throughout. Jeff Bridges was a great choice of voice in this, it?s a great little movie for all.
  • October 6, 2008
    I think this movie is quite beautifully built and is a must watch for an animated movie lover. In spite of the fact that it lost to Ratatouille in the Oscars, I can easily say that this movie is worth watching. If it wouldn't have been Ratatouille, the situation would have been d...( read more)ifferent. Now, first of all the screenplay of the movie is very good for instance the characters conversing with the camera every now and then is a nice idea. Then some brilliant scenes are there with the surfing in the envelope of water (waves). The depiction of the "banana leaf ride" is also very good. The character of "Z" and Cody is very well displayed. All in all the whole story is good and entertains you for one hour and fifteen minutes.
  • November 4, 2009
    Muy chidita. Excelentes graficas.
    Me cayo bien el Gran Z!
  • November 2, 2009
    Ok I enjoyed this wayyyyyyyyyy more than I thought I was going to. The first 10-15 minutes had me laughing already haha "most excellent dude" haha
  • November 1, 2009
    Great job by Shia Laboeuf & Jeff Bridges, did not really look like a kids movie
  • November 1, 2009
    LOVE IT! so funny! ..Shia, much love xOx
  • November 1, 2009
    Total surprise, one of the best animated movies ever

Critic Reviews


August 10, 2007
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

A happy 85 minutes, although it might have been a teensy bit happier, banishing all hint of repetition, at 75. full review

June 8, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

Cowabunga, dudes. Summer officially begins and as surfer bird movies go this one hangs a perfect 10. full review

June 8, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Not exactly awash in cleverness, but it is good clean fun for the family. full review

June 8, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Maybe the next penguin flick will do more justice to the subject. How about going all grindhouse in Lesbian Vampire Penguins of the SS? full review

June 8, 2007
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

The film's tubular visuals and sun-struck philosophizing celebrate the sport while spoofing its disciples, mixing B-grade potty humor and totally-like-fried-chicken gags with faux interviews a la Chri... full review

June 8, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Surf's Up is that rarity in a children's movie, a comedy that's actually exciting. Watching the penguins ride inside the tube of a wave, or plunge under the surface, you may find yourself wanting to c... full review

June 8, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The originality of the documentary format coupled with the splendid CGI effects qualifies Surf's Up as not just another penguin movie. full review

June 7, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The actors broke precedent by recording their scenes side by side, adding an energetic improv vibe missing from most animated features. Surf's Up isn't the Big Kahuna, but it's far from a wipeout. full review

June 4, 2007
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

The kids won't know how terrific Surf's Up is. full review

View more Surf's Up reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • aoddball416
    July 7, 2008
    & what's a rooster hangin' in a vaalley full of penguins? couldn't he freeze 2 death? oh well fictional had 2 be great film! ^.~
  • mantesanjods
    January 15, 2008
    this movie is great! this is really awesome! i love codey! i want to learn to layout the title... how am i gonna learn it?
  • volleyballgirly62
    November 22, 2007
    this is SO a kid's movie! i like how they made it like the endless summer and step into liquid! its HILARIOUS!
  • digigirl8
    November 7, 2007
    This is a good movie, but I thought it was a bit strange the way it was advertised as if it were a kid's movie like Happy Feet but it is definitely not for kids. It was funny, but to me Happy Feet is the better penguin film.
  • lilchickmaii
    November 2, 2007
    so...funny!! make me laugh much :D
  • makavellitwo
    October 21, 2007
    love this movie............
  • rileyking771
    October 17, 2007
    when i saw the traler for this movie i thought it was going to be as crap as happy feet was.. but it was really alot better i enjoyed watchin this fun movie
  • dalebaggies12
    August 9, 2007
    this movie is sooooooooo coooooooooooooool i dunno wa to say bout it cause its tht gud man watch it nd ull never 4get it
  • babytaffster
    July 9, 2007
    This is the 2nd most boring movie I have ever seen. It was written more like a half hour episode for a tv show (it would have been better that way) They took a very short plot and stretched it beyond its limits. Its almost as if it was thought up, written, and produced all in the same day. Their cheap attemps at gross out humor were more pathetic then anything else. Unless you suffer from insomnia DO NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE!
  • steelerchik823
    July 9, 2007
    jon heder and shia labeouf and that lil baby dude arnold rocked this whoooooooooooooole movie!!! hilarious!!! i loooove it!!!
    hahaha <3♥

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Surf's Up Trivia


  • In correction to a question I just answered correctly, but got wrong. In Surf's Up, the name of the chicken is CHICKEN JOE, his father is CHICKEN BOB!!! So, in Surf's Up, who says "I can feel it in my nuggets." The real answer is...  Answer »
  • Name the Three movies that Shie LeBouf are staring in summer of 2007.  Answer »
  • The guy who played the voice for Reggie Belafonte in Surf's Up also casted the voice for which Disney movie character?  Answer »
  • who's the chiken in the surf's up  Answer »

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