Surf's Up (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
Penguins ride 'em high in 'Surf's Up', a Sony Pictures animated film directed by Ash Brannon & Chris Buck. Get ready for this plot; it's bizarre, but I like its originality: Cody (voiced by Shia LeBeouf) is a young penguin who dreams of winning the biggest penguin surfing competition of the year. His efforts in attaining this goal is the chosen subject of a documentary maker who interviews him, his family, his friends, & films him surfing. This 'documentary' takes us behind-the-scenes of the Penguin World Surfing Championships. The characters are fine, the story is fine, but it's the rich, textured animation that piqued my interest here.
Cody's pursuit is well-chronicled. He leaves home (which is Antarctica) to compete in the Big Z surfing competition. Big Z was an icon in the penguin surfing world; but his disappearance led many to believe that he perished in a huge wave. Back to the contest, Cody would have to face a good-natured chicken (Jon Heder), among others. But before Cody takes to the waves, he meets a hot lifeguard (and fellow penguin), Lani (Zooey Deschanel), and gets some life lessons from an elderly mentor (Jeff Bridges). Can Cody win the competition? To win, will Cody be able to realize that doin’ what you love is more important than trophies?
The unique premise of telling this story as part narrative, part documentary (resulting in mockumentary) is appealing in an animated film. In particular, there are some sepia-toned archival footage and/or shaky camera-documentary-like scenes that are animated perfectly. You 'feel' like you're watching real life, but it's ALL animated; very cool. The film starts slowly. There is a couple of moments/dialogue early on that I didn't care for. But the movie grows on you. I enjoyed the CGI style of 'Surf's Up'. Many critics feel the effect is not as impressive as Pixar & other medium. I disagree. Not only is the animation (wave sequences, attention to detail, vibrant colors, texturing, etc.) fantastic, but I actually prefer 'this' penguin film to the Oscar-winning Happy Feet!
Animation is not my favorite genre. It's nowhere near the leagues of classic Disney films, Nemo, Spirited Away, etc. As mentioned, it takes a while for the film to get going. Some of the central characters could have been honed more. 'Surf's Up' needed some more genuinely 'funny' moments. But I enjoy the claim that penguins actually invented surfing. I was pleasantly surprised by my low-key liking of the movie; it has its charms. And it's certainly better than Shrek the Third. The soundtrack, slick script, stellar voice acting (Jeff Bridges is hysterical as the laid back Duuude & Morgan Freeman lends his great voice as a narrator), and lighthearted plot makes this is timid winner. And at 80 min., this film knows exactly when to stop.
Cody's pursuit is well-chronicled. He leaves home (which is Antarctica) to compete in the Big Z surfing competition. Big Z was an icon in the penguin surfing world; but his disappearance led many to believe that he perished in a huge wave. Back to the contest, Cody would have to face a good-natured chicken (Jon Heder), among others. But before Cody takes to the waves, he meets a hot lifeguard (and fellow penguin), Lani (Zooey Deschanel), and gets some life lessons from an elderly mentor (Jeff Bridges). Can Cody win the competition? To win, will Cody be able to realize that doin’ what you love is more important than trophies?
The unique premise of telling this story as part narrative, part documentary (resulting in mockumentary) is appealing in an animated film. In particular, there are some sepia-toned archival footage and/or shaky camera-documentary-like scenes that are animated perfectly. You 'feel' like you're watching real life, but it's ALL animated; very cool. The film starts slowly. There is a couple of moments/dialogue early on that I didn't care for. But the movie grows on you. I enjoyed the CGI style of 'Surf's Up'. Many critics feel the effect is not as impressive as Pixar & other medium. I disagree. Not only is the animation (wave sequences, attention to detail, vibrant colors, texturing, etc.) fantastic, but I actually prefer 'this' penguin film to the Oscar-winning Happy Feet!
Animation is not my favorite genre. It's nowhere near the leagues of classic Disney films, Nemo, Spirited Away, etc. As mentioned, it takes a while for the film to get going. Some of the central characters could have been honed more. 'Surf's Up' needed some more genuinely 'funny' moments. But I enjoy the claim that penguins actually invented surfing. I was pleasantly surprised by my low-key liking of the movie; it has its charms. And it's certainly better than Shrek the Third. The soundtrack, slick script, stellar voice acting (Jeff Bridges is hysterical as the laid back Duuude & Morgan Freeman lends his great voice as a narrator), and lighthearted plot makes this is timid winner. And at 80 min., this film knows exactly when to stop.