Truly Dreadful Film

So much average

Really Surprised!

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Cody Maverick is a surfing penguin. A documentary camera crew is following him. He tells them about the late legendary surfer Big Z who came to Antarctica when Cody was a child. He becomes the best surfer of Shiverpool. He's bullied by his bigger brother Glen and dreams of leaving the bland small town life. Reggie Belafonte organizes "the Big Z Memorial Surf Off" on Pen Gu Island. The arrogant Tank 'The Shredder' Evans is the best surfer around. Recruiter Mikey Abromowitz reluctantly takes Cody to the Surf Off. Cody befriends fellow competitor Chicken Joe and falls for lifeguard Lani Aliikai. Tank is making fun of Big Z and Cody ends up on an one-on-one challenge with Tank. Cody wipes out horribly. Lani brings him to surfing recluse Geek who teaches him important life lessons.The documentary crew is a fun conceit like the one on 'The Office'. I like the voice work especially the overlapping quality. It gives it a fun rapid-fire interaction that is missing from most animations. It also gives it a little more adult feel that distinguishes it from the other penguin cartoons. The movie generally suffers from being released 7 months after 'Happy Feet' with people having a bit of penguin fatigue. The humor is sarcastic and also a bit more adult. In general, I really like Cody and the rest of the group.

SURF'S UPI liked this, but was still a little disappointed.The movie is about a penguin who does not want to be an everyday normal penguin. His dream is to become a world champion surfer like his hero Big Z... so he leaves the comfort of his home and family to chase his dream and enters the biggest surfing contest.I quite liked the way this film was made. It was shot like a documentary. It felt like there was a camera crew just following this penguin as he goes on his adventure. There were interviews and other "real life" reactions from all the animals around. It was a really nice angle to take.I thought a lot of it was very predictable which was a shame. There were not many surprises in the movie, although there was one twist that I was not expecting that was good.The voice work was very good. Shia LaBeouf was the voice of Cody... the runaway penguin. Jeff Bridges was the voice of Big Z... the world champion surfer. Other voices were provided by Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder & James Woods.My favourite character was Chicken Joe. He was so funny and by far the best character. He could have easily had his own movie.The animation was very well done. It is amazing how good it is these days... but I do still miss the drawn animation.I thought the story was quite slow in places and was hoping for a little more. It was entertaining, but I thought compared to other kids films this one was quite forgetful. There was not a lot in it that would stick in my mind.I will give this film 6 out of 10."Dude, she's totally into you! She called you crap!"For more reviews, please like my Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ordinary-Person-Movie- Reviews/456572047728204?ref=hl

The thing I love about this animation is the fact it is a documentary spoof. I love how the characters are interviewed and it is parallel to the story. The baby penguins are so cute. Chicken Joe is hilarious, chilled out style and quirky. Cody is the leading character and he is great, all the characters are great and have every right to be given an interview because they all have something to offer. I love this animation so much because it is rich with humour and it has a laid back style which is refreshing and easy to watch. Deservedly nominated for an Oscar because it is different and unconventional for an animation. A great family film for all to enjoy.

This is not the best animated movie I have ever seen(Beauty and the Beast) or the best penguin movie(March of the Penguins), but I really enjoyed Surf's Up. It could have been longer perhaps, but Surf's Up is beautifully animated with the bright colours particularly impressive. The music is hip and cool. The writing is both funny and smart, and the story is briskly paced and interesting. Surf's Up also has some likable characters that are further advantaged by some top notch voice acting with special mention going to Jeff Bridges who is simply marvellous. All in all it is a fun and beautifully animated film, that manages to be smart and likable as well. 8/10 Bethany Cox