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Surf's Up (2007)

Director: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck

Time Out rating

Average user rating

28 reviews

Synopsis

Animated tale about surfer penguin Cody Maverisk, who travels from Shiverpool, Antarctica to Pen Gu island to compete in his first professional competition.

Movie review

From Time Out London

No, this surfing penguin flick isn’t a hastily-scrambled sequel to ‘Happy Feet’. Far from it. In fact, Ash Brannon and Chris Buck have come up with a completely unique approach to the animated film structure, and in doing so have created the world’s first animated mockumentary. It begins with an interview with obstreperous surfer, Cody Maverick (voiced by Shia LaBeouf), who tells us how much he aspires to the skills of the late Z (Jeff Bridges), the dudiest wave-rider in penguin history; amusingly, while Cody reminisces about the past, a selection of archive footage and old snapshots add comic illustration. Later, when Cody’s given a break in the Big Z Memorial Surf-off Contest, the film beds down into a more conventional format, replete with social messages about self esteem, being yourself and so on.

The visuals here are mostly impressive, although more attention appears to have been paid to the cast’s superb facial expressions than to the rendering of the water and backgrounds. Also, one suspects the majority of verbal and visual quips will sail right over the heads of youngsters. In that respect, and despite the characters’ inherent cuteness, it’s arguably the most adult-orientated CGI animation yet. It certainly tickled this writer’s funnybone.

Author: Derek Adams 2007-08-07 16:44:52

Time Out London Issue 1929: August 8-14 2007

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User reviews of this film

condog said...

Posted on Nov 02 2009 03:47 sik film

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Angela said...

Posted on Jan 05 2008 19:24 Went to see it today with children 4 and 7 - Something in this this for all ages - really enjoyed it, very funny.

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gracie said...

Posted on Oct 26 2007 19:23 hopefully gunna go see it 2moz better be good
i only gave it 4 stars coz of wat i have heard
hope its good

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Jon said...

Posted on Oct 21 2007 17:27 I can't wait to see this movie!

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Rocko age 4 said...

Posted on Oct 05 2007 14:31 Loved the film best laugh i have had for a long film time. Go and see for yourself, oh and by the way my auntie Lynne enjoyed it just as much as me, laughed at everything

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sazzle said...

Posted on Sep 17 2007 19:18 Mint film i would recomend it to anyone!

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james said...

Posted on Sep 15 2007 21:28 boooooooooring

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callum said...

Posted on Sep 09 2007 14:52 oioi evry1 am gan to see it the nite so is it gd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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gordon muir said...

Posted on Sep 07 2007 10:45 It's basically Cars with Penguins (plot wise i mean) but it's the best animated film of this year and the best of it's kind since the first Shrek, the jokes are ingenious and the visuals are out of this world, i really do suggest seeing this movie.

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mr schnurfff said...

Posted on Aug 30 2007 09:48 pretty mazin wannit bruv an i laughed so much i choked on my popcorn

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ian dickson said...

Posted on Aug 28 2007 13:47 I took my boys - 4 and 6 - and they loved it. I also enjoyed it, which was an unexpected pleasure. Back home power rangers are now found standing on hotwheels track. "They're surfing Daddy..."

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Jimmy said...

Posted on Aug 25 2007 23:10 Great movie - makes a nice change to see animation aimed at an older audience. This is much better then Happy Feet or any of that Walt Disney crap.

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lola said...

Posted on Aug 20 2007 17:42 lil chris is talkn in ta isnt he??xxgoin 2see da 2morzz woo!!xxx

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Ozinuk said...

Posted on Aug 19 2007 17:20 I took my two daughters (9 +5) to see Surfs Up - fully expecting it to be second rate against the other Penguin movie - Happy Feet.
I was happily proved wrong. Myself and Miss 9 absolutely loved it - humour which Adults and older kids can enjoy and visually fantastic. It was a little above Miss 5 who was asking 'is it over yet' half way through??
I definately recommend this movie - great fun!!

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Rob said...

Posted on Aug 19 2007 14:38 i was supprised to find that it was not so much a chillike film that i was expecting. it has loads of visual and verbal quips that tickled my fancy,
defonatly recomend it to any age.

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