Surf's Up (2007)

A behind-the-scenes look at the annual Penguin World Surfing Championship, and its newest participant, up-and-comer Cody Maverick.

Directors:

Ash Brannon, Chris Buck

Writers:

Don Rhymer (screenplay), Ash Brannon (screenplay),

Stars:

Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shia LaBeouf	...	Cody Maverick (voice)
Jeff Bridges	...	Zeke 'Big Z' Topanga / 'Geek' (voice)
Zooey Deschanel	...	Lani Aliikai (voice)
Jon Heder	...	Chicken Joe (voice)
James Woods	...	Reggie Belafonte (voice)
Diedrich Bader	...	Tank 'The Shredder' Evans (voice)
Mario Cantone	...	Mikey Abromowitz (voice)
Kelly Slater	...	Kelly (voice)
Rob Machado	...	Rob (voice)
Sal Masekela	...	SPEN Announcer (voice)
Ash Brannon	...	Filmmaker (voice)
Chris Buck	...	Filmmaker (voice)
Brian Posehn	...	Glen Maverick (voice)
Dana Belben	...	Edna Maverick (voice) (as Dana L. Belben)
Reed Buck	...	Arnold (voice)

Storyline

This story follows a teenage rock hopper penguin named Cody Maverick from his hometown of Shiverpool, Antarctica, where all of the other penguins think he's nothing but a surfing fool, to the "Big Z Memorial Surf Off" on Pen Gu Island. Young Cody is determined to win the most important competition in the world of penguin surfing in honor of "Big Z," a deceased surfing legend whom he has idolized since childhood. But the waves in Pen Gu are different than in Shiverpool, and the competition is steep. The current champ, egotistical Tank Evans, isn't just about to let this little penguin knock him from first place without a fight. When Cody wipes out and encounters Geek, a recluse aging former surfer, living in the jungle, he learns some important lessons about life and surfing, and even teaches Geek a thing or two.

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Plot Keywords:

surfing | penguin | competition | island | chicken | 

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Taglines:

A Major Ocean Picture

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and some rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Columbia [fr] Official site [br]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 June 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los reyes de las olas

Box Office

Budget:

$85,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£601,289 (UK) (10 August 2007)

Gross:

£4,356,423 (UK) (5 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Animation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This surprised a lot of people by picking up the third nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars that year after the locks, Ratatouille and Persepolis. Many expected the box office hit, The Simpsons Movie, to be the third nominee.

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Goofs

When Cody faces off against Tank for the first time, Cody takes a wipe-out. We then see a few instant replays. On the second and third replay, we see Tank leaving the tube. One the fourth, however, he doesn't leave the tube.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Filmmaker: Quiet on the set. And we're rolling. Cody Maverick interview, take one.
Cody Maverick: So why are you guys here to interview me?

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Crazy Credits

Hang on after the credits for a funny scene with Glen and Edna Maverick (Cody's brother and mother) with the film crew.

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Connections

References March of the Penguins (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Honeysuckle Rose"
Written by Andy Razaf and Fats Waller (as Thomas "Fats" Waller)
Performed by Nedwards & Keoki Kaapana
Courtesy of Koa Music, LLC

User Reviews

Surg and Surfing

The previews drew me in, and when a rainy weekend coincided with Surf's Up coming to the local theater I went. Here I am old enough to be a grandmother and I love animated films. And the animation makes the film. The water is surreal in how lifelike it is with all the variegation of color. The plot of little guy, big dreams, dream crash, dream re-found, and priorities set straight is definitely cliché. It's how it all gets there, is what we spend our $5.00 matinée for. The voice talent is perfect: Jeff Bridges as the laid back Z, Shia LaBeouf the young hero in the making, Jon Heder as a stoned chicken from Michigan, and Zooey Deschanel as the good-hearted lifeguard who keeps secrets well. They made the movie flow.

As for the penchant of "children" movies using poop and pee for laugh lines--I ask why? It didn't add to the movie, and it certainly lowers it. It's as if they are afraid the movie won't hold up on its own without a bit of naughty and disgusting jokes. Hey, leave it alone and let the movie go. Urinating and flatulent penguins just aren't that funny. Lots of other funny stuff. Like I said to the floor sweeper when he asked me, "Was it any good?" It had it's moments.