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 by), Ash Brannon (screenplay by)

Stars:

Shia LaBeouf, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 17 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:

anthropomorphic penguin | surfing | penguin | competition | island | 

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Taglines:

In the coldest place on Earth, he's the hottest thing around.

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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 [France] Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 June 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los reyes de las olas

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,640,249, 10 June 2007, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$58,867,694

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$149,044,513

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,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

Sony Animation's first film to not have any humans.

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Goofs

After the argument with Big Z, Cody rips his big Z necklace off and during his walk to the line up its clearly seen that he's no longer wearing it, However in the long shot of the line up, you can see that Cody has the necklace on..and then in the following closeup its gone again.

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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

Look out right during the end credits with Edna and Glen Maverick (Cody's brother and mother) and the film crew, Edna is kept said, "We could be more like Cody?" and Glen said, "When the credits is over" then the credits begin.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.5 (2012)

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Soundtracks

Wipe Out
Written by Robert Berryhill, Patrick Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ronald Wilson (as Surfaris)
Performed by The Queers
Courtesy of Stardum Records
By Arrangement with Railer Entertainment Music Licensing

User Reviews

Excellent Family Film

This film is great for the whole family. As a non-pixar film, my husband and I though it would be cute for our pre-schooler, but we didn't expect it to be as much fun as it was for our enjoyment. The mocumentary-style animation was refreshing and adorable. It was incredibly witty, and the story was classic! The animation itself rivaled the realness that pixar turns out - I couldn't take my eyes off the details in the penguins' markings and the clarity of the ocean scenes. Shia did an excellent job with the voice as well. I didn't think his voice would be recognizable enough to pull off a lead animation character, but because he's got such excitement and energy in his voice, you could really see him through the animated character. I'd recommend this to anyone. As my 3 year old has been saying since we left the theater: "I like penguin movie."