‘Surf’s Up’ (thankfully)
is more than a penguin movie

At the Movies
By Senitra Horbrook

Riding the wave of Hollywood’s latest animated trend is Surf’s Up. Before you groan and say, "Oh no, not another penguin movie," you should know that Surf’s Up is a unique and entertaining take on an idea that’s beginning to wear out its welcome.
In 2005, the Oscar-winning documentary March of the Penguins brought some recognition to these cold creatures, and the animated Happy Feet, another Oscar-winner in 2006, was a huge box-office hit. Maybe Surf’s Up should have waited a little longer for its release — after all, Happy Feet came out in November and comparisons are sure to be drawn.
Surf’s Up manages to stand confidently on its own two feet, incorporating a creative mockumentary style to tell a tired story that kids and parents have seen before. Surf’s Up directors Ash Brannon (Toy Story 2) and Chris Buck (Tarzan) are quite familiar with the genre.
Through interviews by off-camera documentary-makers, we learn the story of Cody Maverick (Shia LeBeouf), a surfing penguin from Shiverpool, Antarctica. When the opportunity arises to compete in the Big Z Memorial Surf-Off (dedicated to Cody’s idol, the surfing penguin legend Big Z) arises, Cody literally jumps at the chance. He heads to the tropical Pen Gu Island, where he meets a surprising mentor (Jeff Bridges) who teaches him that winning isn’t everything.
On the island, Cody also meets a cast of crazy characters, including Chicken Joe, a surfing rooster from Sheboygan (Jon Heder). Penguin lifeguard Lani (Zooey Deschanel) is a love interest for Cody. Tank (Diedrich Bader) is a cocky competitor who will do anything to win. Reggie (James Woods), an otter, is a greedy promoter/manager looking for a quick payday on the next big surfer and sees promise in the up-and-coming Cody.
As I said, the mockumentary style is what makes this film stand out. Throughout the film we hear interviews with Cody, as well as with his mother and brother back in Shiverpool. Three baby penguins steal the show every time they comment, especially Arnold, the baby who keeps running into the ocean to be rescued by Lani, the lifeguard, because he can’t swim. Clips of footage are tinted brown to make them look old. Boom microphones and splashes of water on the camera lens also are inserted. Professional surfers Kelly Slater and Rob Machado voice themselves as commentators for the competition. ESPN X Games host Sal Masekela is the voice of SPEN (Sport Penguin Entertainment Network).
Going for the easy laughs is to be expected in a movie like this, hence the small amount of potty humor. There’s also a pretty funny joke about what happens to Chicken Joe’s father.
LeBeouf is becoming quite the recognizable name. The 21-year-old actor successfully carried the leading role in Disturbia earlier this year, will star in Transformers next month, and is said to be working with Harrison Ford for the fourth installment of Indiana Jones, to be released next year. LeBeouf’s voice is well-suited to the laid-back teenage surfer penguin.
Surf’s Up is the second animated film from Sony Pictures Animation. The first, Open Season, released last fall, is not exactly going to be considered an animated classic.
Surf’s Up may not be quite on par with the great Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks (makers of Shrek) films, but it holds its own and is a nice alternative to Shrek the Third. ••
Movie Grade: B+