Surf's Up film review

certificate_PG

SURF'S UP

In recent years, with March Of The Penguins and Happy Feet, the once ignored penguin has become the darling of Hollywood. This glut of material has left the lovable bird in danger of over-exposure, but within the opening seconds of the thoroughly entertaining Surf's Up, this notion is dispelled.

The animated story of the surfing penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) is told in faux documentary style. Surf's Up original approach, which begins with authentically grainy old footage of the pioneering days of penguin surfing and the legendary champion Big Z (Jeff Bridges), make it the best of the new wave of penguin cinema.

The replication of the documentary style extends to the wavering focus, jerky camera moves and the occasional appearance of an errant microphone. There's even a great moment where the exposed privates of one character are pixilated.

Designed to appeal as much to adults as it is to kids, Surf's Up blends an irreverent and absurdist wit with a touching sweetness. An example of its silly sensibility is an ongoing gag involving the impossibly cute baby penguin Arnold (Reed Buck), who's constantly attempting suicide, hurling himself into the surf so he can be rescued by the pretty penguin lifeguard Lani (Zooey Deschanel).

Things begin with the adolescent Cody reflecting on the pivotal moment when, as a youngster, he met Big Z and vowed to be just like him. This is offset by the disparaging comments of his older brother Glen (Brian Posehn) who thinks Cody is just a surfing slacker. When Glen learns of the documentary being made about his kid brother, he sneers, "Where can I queue up to not see that?"

Shia LaBeouf proves his considerable talents extend to voices as he imbues Cody with the perfect blend of wonderment and youthful arrogance. Desperate to become a champion surfer like his hero Big Z, Cody leaves his hometown of Shiverpool, Antarctica and heads for the tropical idyll of Pen Gu Island and the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. There he hopes to beat the invincible Tank (Diedrich Bader) who has ruled the waves ever since the disappearance of Big Z during a tournament.

Cody is soon befriended by the stoner Chicken Joe (Jon Heder) a fowl so laid back as to be almost horizontal. He also encounters surfing promoter Reggie Belafonte (James Woods), a beaver with a hair-do and line in spiel reminiscent of Don King. There's also a romantic subplot involving Cody and the spirited Lani.