First they marched, then they danced, & now they surf! In the latest film to feature penguins as its stars 'Surf's Up' takes us on a fun and wild ride alongside the headstrong teen Cody Maverick, voiced by Shia LaBeouf. Don't let the fact that this is yet another movie with the flightless birds deter you from giving it a chance. Where as 'Happy Feet' relied on song and dance to carry itself, 'Surf's Up' focuses more so on story and laughs while it makes a huge splash in the vast ocean of recent CGI family flicks.
Everything begins with an interview with Cody in his hometown of Shiverpool, Antarctica. For the next hour and twenty-five minutes the same camera filming him in the interview will follow him on his journey to and on Pen Gu Island for the tenth annual Big Z Memorial Surf Off. For those of you not familiar with penguin culture, it's a surfing competition held in the honor of legendary pro surfer, Big Z. By winning the surf off Cody believes he'll gain the respect of his fellow family members and local residents back in Shiverpool. Once he meets Geek; a penguin hiding away in Pen Gu's forest he begins to learn that being first doesn't always make you a true winner.
'Surf's Up' may not be filled to the brim with musical numbers by vocally and rhythmically talented penguins, but it has enough great characters (some of which aren't even the black and white birds) to blow 'Happy Feet' out of the water. The standout favorite is Cody's best bud, the aloof Chicken Joe, voiced by Jon Heder. He's so fried, he could be put into a KFC bucket and be ready to serve as is. The crazy clucker is nothing but a walking, talking load of laughs. The other notable favorites are three children penguins named Katey, Smudge, & Arnold. Every time the funny little guys start talking you can't help but love them. Most of the other characters are pretty likable, but none compare to the comedic poultry or wee ones.
Most of the humor actually comes from the setup of the film. With it being in cinéma vérite style we see the good, bad, & side-splitting aspect of all the characters. The only sequences I never really found funny save for one were those with business-driven beaver? No, maybe it's an otter. Whatever the hell that damn furry thing was voiced by James Woods, was pretty annoying. Why he is even congregating with the birds is still a mystery to me.
Now for the part I pretty much bring up in every review of a digitally animated film: the visuals. It appears like there's just no limit to the level of progress that animation continues to have. Last month 'Shrek the Third' raised the bar again with stunning facial expressions and detail. Here 'Surf's Up' raises that same bar even higher with its amazingly realistic backgrounds and settings. From the smallest leaf in the forest, to the drops of water dripping off Cody's forehead after a wave washes over him, the realism is unbelievable. Two big thumbs up to Sony Pictures Animation on this one.
I think anyone who sees this will get more than they went in expecting. It's not just another penguin movie and it's certainly not only about surfing such as many were complaining. It's plot may slightly be similar to 'Cars' but it does its own thing telling it's story with continuing hilarity and heartfelt throughout. I can't deny that this fun, cutesy family film had me smiling almost the entire time. I'm sorry Mumble, but there's a new penguin in town and his name is Cody.