Hang Ten!

Last updated: 13/12/2007 - 10:14

Feelgood surfboarding penguin cartoon capers come to DVD.

Surf’s Up is an animated action-comedy that delves behind the scenes of the high-octane world of competitive surfing. The film profiles teenage Rockhopper penguin Cody Maverick - voiced by Shia LaBeouf (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, I, Robot, Dumb & Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd,, Transformers) - an up-and-coming surfer, as he enters his first 'pro' competition. Followed by a camera crew to document his experiences, Cody leaves his family and home in Shiverpool, Antarctica to travel to Pen Gu Island for the 'Big Z Memorial Surf Off'.

Along the way, Cody meets Sheboygan surfer Chicken Joe - voiced by Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Just like Heaven), famous surf promoter Reggie Belafonte - James Woods - surf talent scout Mikey Abromowitz - Mario Cantone - and spirited lifeguard Lani Aliikai - Zooey Deschanel. All of theses assembled surfer dude penguins recognise Cody’s passion for surfing, even if it’s a bit misguided at times...

Cody believes that winning will bring him the admiration and respect he desires, but when he unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a washed-up old surfer - voiced by Jeff Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys), Cody begins to find his own way, and discovers that a true winner isn’t always the one who comes in first.

Surf’s Up is directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck, from a screenplay by Don Rhymer and Ash Brannon & Chris Buck & Christopher Jenkins, based on a story by Christopher Jenkins and Christian Darren. Produced by Christopher Jenkins (Tarzan) the music is by Mychael Danna with imagery and animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks, Inc.

Here's what some of the critics have had to say about Surf's Up when it opened in cinemas:

"The mockumentary format of Surf's Up proves entertaining and gives the film a savvier spin than if the story had been told in a straightforward manner." - Angela Baldassarre (for Sympatico.ca).

"You owe it to yourself to see Surf's Up if only to admire the skill with which it has been made." - Ethan Alter (Film Journal International).

"Happy Feet is a movie about penguins and 'Finding Nemo' is a movie about fish, but Surf's Up is about SURFERS - the project's penguinness seems more opportunistic than necessary." - John Beifuss for Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN).

"...THE family film of 2007." - David Edwards (The Daily Mirror).

"A summer holiday winner for the kids." - Louise Purser (OK magazine).

Surf’s Up is out on DVD now, rated PG.

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