Last year penguins danced in HAPPY FEET; now penguins catch the big wave in SURF'S UP. This animated mockumentary looks great and has enough heart and laughs to be a step up from Sony Picture Animation's first animated film, OPEN SEASON. But more so than Sony's MONSTER HOUSE, the film suffers a bit from having a stock hero, leaving the flare to the supporting cast. Nonetheless, the characters are likeable and the laughs are enough that this film is the best time I've had at the movies this summer so far.
Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf, HOLES) lives in Shiverpool, Antarctica and has dreamed of becoming a professional surfer ever since famed Big Z came to visit his town when he was a small child. A film crew interviews Cody as he sets out to prove his mother Edna (Dana Belben, HAPPY TREE FRIENDS) and older brother Glen (Brian Posehn, TV's THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM) wrong and make it off the block of ice where he was born, succeeding as a pro athlete. Determined, he all but forces himself on talent scout Mikey Abromowitz (Mario Cantone, TV's LAUGH WHORE), who works for the Don King-like surf promoter Reggie Belafonte (James Woods, SALVADOR). We learn that Cody's idol Big Z disappeared during a surf tournament, leaving the arrogant Tank Evans (Diedrich Bader, TV's THE DREW CAREY SHOW) behind as the reigning champion. Cody makes friends with laid-back Chicken Joe (Jon Heder, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE) and pretty lifeguard Lani Aliikai (Zooey Deschanel, THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY), but a clash with Tank leaves Cody finally in the care of the Zen-like Geek (Jeff Bridges, THE BIG LEBOWSKI).
At first the documentary style put a distance between the viewer and the story, but when the film moves from talking head interviews to a fly on the wall approach the film comes alive. The doc style also allows for some hilarious asides, some of which have a devilishly dark bent to them. Though not as full a world as a Pixar film, the world of SURF'S UP is rich with visual details, especially when emulating vintage or specialized film looks. And the surfing scenes are awesome with perfectly rendered water. You feel like you're really in the ocean. The tropical environment is lush and peaceful, which adds well to the story.
Though Cody is the "restless teen" type of character, LaBeouf does good voice work, really nailing some of the dialogue. Like he did in MONSTER HOUSE, Heder steals many moments in this film as the loopy Chicken Joe. I particularly liked his run in with the natives of Pen Gu Island. Likewise, Cantone also steals the early scenes he's in as the shorebird not liking his move from theatrical agent to surfing scout. I liked the character and wished he wouldn't have gotten lost toward the end. However, the best performance is Jeff Bridges as the slacker ex-surfer. He's like Yoda crossed with The Dude from LEBOWSKI. He's the most interesting character and really carries the film's message that winning isn't everything.
Though the story doesn't present too many surprises, it's good-natured themes play out nicely. But I do have to say that I could live out my life never seeing another "sliding through a tunnel" aka rollercoaster bonding scene ever again and not feel like I was missing something. But my quibbles with the film are minor; it's enjoyable and fun with amazing animation. The look alone is worth seeing this film.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
