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Bookmark this pageSurf's Up (2007)
Director: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
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
Time Out London Issue 1929: August 8-14 2007
User reviews of this film
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- Tristan said...
- Posted on Aug 16 2007 08:43 Went with my three year old daughter, pretty slow from the start and quite a shallow storyline. She wanted to go home half way through and I didn't rate it much either.
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- Adam said...
- Posted on Aug 16 2007 08:38 this film looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- JENNY said...
- Posted on Aug 16 2007 07:49 This is the best kids film I have seen in ages. I have three children and was not at all thrilled at the prospect of yet another movie about penguins, but this was hilarious, particularly for anyone dealing with a pre teen/teenager right now. The facial expressions are unbelievably accurate and I think this film could possibly appeal even more to adults than to children who will miss some of humour. My three all loved it and said I was embarrassing them as I laughed the most!
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- ann said...
- Posted on Aug 14 2007 22:34 absolutly loved it the kids really enjoyed they thought it was great would recomend it to everyone
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- Charles aged 8 said...
- Posted on Aug 14 2007 21:40 Unfortunately disappointing; difficult to follow for a young child. Not enough fast action to keep young people excited or involved. Shame - as the previews were perhaps what attracted us, and also let us down.
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- Graham said...
- Posted on Aug 14 2007 21:11 shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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- potty said...
- Posted on Aug 14 2007 14:42 How annoying you come on this site to find out what the film is generally like thats why it is called a review. Watch the film first and say no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- Iona Cave said...
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Posted on Aug 14 2007 11:29
im going to see it tonight, AHHHHH.
madness i havent been out of the house in 3 years! - Report as inappropriate
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- xxx-Soph-xxx said...
- Posted on Aug 13 2007 12:19 i think this film looks REAL GOOD! an i am going to whatch it tonight and i will say tomorrow what it's like if you wish
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- bla bla bla said...
- Posted on Aug 13 2007 08:53 the flim looks good i am going to give it a rating jim because this is how good i think it iis going to be ok .
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- Jamie said...
- Posted on Aug 11 2007 20:03 Very Good. Penguins rock my socks. ! +]
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- Jim said...
- Posted on Aug 11 2007 18:25 What kind of comment is that Shannon? Reviewing and rating a film you have not even seen. It infuriated me so much, I have also now put in a review even though I have not seen it (although please note that I did not rate it).
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- SHANNON said...
- Posted on Aug 10 2007 10:45 IM GOING TO SEE THE FILM TONIGHT AND I THINK IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD ON THE PREVIEWS BUT IM SURE ILL TELL YOU IF ITS GOOD OR NOT :) SO HOLD TIGHT PEOPLE ! X
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Cast & crew
Director: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
Producer: Christopher Jenkins
Genre(s): Children's, Comedy
Rated: PG
Duration: 85 mins
UK Release: Aug 10 2007
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