Refreshing to see an animated non-pixar movie not filled with pop culture references and political messages, this is just a movie about surfing. Funny and interesting, beautifully created and genuine.
So this got an Oscar nomination over 'The Simpson's Movie' why? Okay, so the general idea was good it was a documentry format- I liked that. But then they broke out of the format at times and really the premesce of surfing penguins is so stupid it dosn't fly. It wasn't funny, a couple chuckles but really no. The animation was a combo of being too good but too bad from one frame to another so it was hard to be critical. The soundtrack was an annoying mix of surfer tunes and the score really didn't add much. The casting was good- but who cares really. So while this really wasn't good, it had potential- not that that was much to work with so there really wasn't much room to grow and it sort of falls. But the added shorts were good- and it had potential... but skip it anyways!
A wonderful children's animation about my favorite kind of animal: penguins! It's a mockumentary on how penguins supposedly invented surfing. So cute! Shia and Jon are really funny.
This was a great animated PENGUIN movie. It wasn't as good as Happy Feet, but if you think about it, its actually a completely different movie. Shia LeBeouf did a great job voice acting.
I didn't really like the format of the movie, and the concept was simple enough that the plot was predictable. The best part was probably the chicken, he was hilarious lol
In the first moments of my first viewing of the trailer for this film, my thought was, "exactly what the world doesn't need, another computer animated film about penguins." But the trailer began to grow on me, it seemed like something I might enjoy. Sometimes it's good to have a kid for exactly that reason. I probably would have felt a slight twinge of embarrassment buying tickets for this on my own, but with a three-year-old in tow, it was no problem; and in the end I think I enjoyed the film more than him. When we bought the DVD, I was happy for another chance to watch the film, and glad to have something well made for my son to watch a hundred times.
What I like most about Surf's Up is the documentary aspect. From a style perspective, Hollywood computer animated films are about as safe a genre as you can find. You don't often see someone trying to push the envelope; everything is pretty much straight forward, letting the ideas drive the film, instead of reaching for any kind of new artistry. As a fan of surfing documentaries; from Endless Summer to Riding Giants; I love that they pull those aesthetics into the crisp clean world of CGI. In telling the story of Cody Maverick, the film goes through scratchy Super-8 footage, old washed-out photos, TV coverage of surfing events, hand-held cameras, and they even have the filmmakers talking to the subjects from off-screen. Fairly gutsy stuff for a family film about talking penguins.
They did an impeccable job in casting as well; I love Shia LaBeouf as Cody, he gives the character a good mix of cockiness and self-doubt, plus he just sounds like a surfer. And you couldn't do any better than Jeff "The Dude" Bridges as the old surf guru Big Z. Zooey Deschanel has been a personal favorite of mine since Almost Famous, she's fine here as Cody's love interest, but she honestly isn't that memorable. Jon Heder is good, as he does his typical goofy thing as Chicken Joe, he gets in some good one liners. Diedrich Bader is a highlight as Tank Evans, Cody's nemesis, he's hilarious throughout the film. Even though the film is full of "names", the celebrity casting for this film isn't as obnoxious as something like the Shrek sequels; the filmmakers actually seem to be focusing on what's good for the character, instead of another name for the poster.
The story is fairly straight-forward. Cody Maverick grew up a bit different, he's the only surfer in his small "town" in Antarctica. His family doesn't understand him, and they try to squash his dream. When a surfing scout shows up, on the back of a whale, Cody forces his way on board, and takes a trip to Hawaii for the Big Z Open. Big Z is Cody's hero, who everyone believes died ten years before; Cody discovers him living in hiding, having given up surfing long ago. The two become friends, through each other they rediscover the joy of life and surfing, Tank gets his comeuppance and everything ends happily for everyone else. It's a kids movie.
Directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck, they have created a nice little gem. It has a very sweet spirit to it, a soul hidden beneath it's commercial facade. I enjoyed the documentary style, which they stick to fairly faithfully, except for one scene where they go riding through some lava tubes. I appreciated that the humor didn't rely on pokes at pop-culture, so the film will remain fairly timeless. If Brad Bird and the geniuses at Pixar hadn't created the wonderful Ratatouille, I would have considered Surf's Up the best animated film of 2007. It's far better than the other animated penguin movie Happy Feet; it has a nice message to it, but doesn't cram it down your throat like that film. I think that it would make a nice addition to any family's DVD collection; and that even childless film buffs can enjoy it from a filmmaking perspective.
Gotta get me a rooster like that! Was so fun riding the wave of this tropical contradiction of characters, true to their understudies. Entertaining will watch it again
This movie was way cuter than given credit for. The fact that it was deemed "just another penguin movie" killed it. This is FULL of great comedy for the whole family. PS. Rockin soundtrack, too!!!
Started this movie and had to stop about 30 minutes in. Thought it was a loser. Watched it completely tonight and have to say it grew on me. Some neat characters.
Best animated movie in a long time! It really captures the surf felling and it´s got all the right elements that a surf film should have. It is also told in a different kinda way wich makes it more interesting. The characters are also great and funny. Giving its a boardie movie the soundtrack is perfect.
I absoulutly love this moviee. its so different and thats what i like. its not narrarated but it lets the characters say what they want to. its very funny and its recommended for everyone
A bright, colourful, well animated film about Penguins who surf! The level of detail in the film is amazing from the lighting, fur and the water look so real. It's enjoyable enough for the kids and the bigger kids to. It has plenty of extras on DVD as well!
It's amusing enough to watch. It's not exactly interesting enough to watch it more than one time. It might probably appeal more to the surfer people. They might find this 'radical'.
The whole movie being set up as a 'documentary' type is kind of interesting. But it's not quite interesting enough in this one. In fact, at some times it was starting to get quite annoying.
I like that rooster, though. Shame he looks a bit too plastic-y. Where can I get me a hot tub looking like a cannibal pot, though? :)
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