Surf's Up

Theatrical Release Date: 2007 06 08 (USA)

UPC: 043396177468

Studio: Sony Pictures

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:null

Summary: A surfing penguin currently riding the wave of success enters his first professional competition in this computer-animated family-oriented comedy from directors Chris Buck and Ash Brannon. Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) may be a relative amateur when it comes to hanging ten, but he's sure he has what it takes to surf his way to superstardom. With a little help from his cantankerous King Penguin mentor, ex-surfing legend Big Z (Jeff Bridges), and a little encouragement from star Pen Gu Island lifeguard Lani (Zooey Deschanel), there may be hope for this tuxedo-clad wave twister after all. James Woods, Jane Krakowski, Michael McKean, Jon Heder, Mario Cantone, and Brian Benben all lend their voices to this inspirational tale that proves anything is possible when you put your heart and mind to it. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Film Presented – Tokyo International Film Festival Best Animated Feature – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Animated Feature – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: All-new "The Chubbchubbs Save Xmas" animated short
Games: make your own surfboard, whale hopping, lava surf
Lost scenes with optional filmmaker intros
"Lose Myself" music video by Ms. Lauryn Hill
Meet the penguins with Mario Cantone
All together now: The Surf's Up voice sessions
Arnold's Zurfinary
Not a drop of real water: 1. surf cam
2. making waves 3. storyboard to surfboard multi-angle sequence
Progression reels
Filmmaker commentary
The Chubbchubbs (2002 Academy Award winnter, best short animated film)
Photo galleries
DVD-ROM links

Surf's Up

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 10/09/2007

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 85 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Surf's Up
1. Being the Best [4:15]
2. Born and Raised [1:54]
3. Life Dreams [3:55]
4. Scouting the Land [2:01]
5. Feeling Like a Winner [2:13]
6. Checking Out the Goods [3:20]
7. Remembering Big Z [1:57]
8. The Tank [3:25]
9. Medical Cure [2:42]
10. Showing Concern [2:13]
11. Finding the Way [4:58]
12. Could It Be? [3:45]
13. Center of Attention [1:27]
14. Just Relax [3:05]
15. Dream Come True [2:53]
16. Dinner and a Show [2:29]
17. Just Let Go [4:58]
18. In the Tube [1:25]
19. Professional Training [2:47]
20. Let's Surf! [2:52]
21. Tank Trouble [3:20]
22. Lost and Found [2:08]
23. Big Competition [3:37]
24. Surf Champs [1:25]
25. Bone Yard Trouble [2:49]
26. It's Me [2:52]
27. Hard Loss [1:20]
28. Everything You Need [9:05]

-1

All penguined out after the one-two punch of March of the Penguins and Happy Feet? Well, save room for one more. Despite potentially seeming like a crass grab at the tuxedoed coattails of these other penguin movies, Surf's Up is a funny, warm, and highly enjoyable salute to the ever-cinematic sport of surfing. It also happens to be the world's first feature-length animated mockumentary. Surf's Up expands on the logic of the outtakes included in the closing credits of Pixar films -- outtakes designed purely to break the fourth wall, since cartoons aren't actually capable of flubbing their lines. An animated documentary has the same effect of making its universe "really real," which allows viewers to effortlessly embrace the characters and the scenarios. (Plus, it's funny to watch interviewed penguins banter with the boom operator.) The imaginary hubs of wave-riding activity featured here, from the jutting ice floes of Antarctica to the gnarled rocks of Pen Gu Island, are glorious and inspired. But the true inspiration comes in the vocal casting. Surf's Up opts for a refreshing slate of animation newcomers, including Shia LaBeouf displaying his usual charming pluck, Zooey Deschanel easily transplanting her wry sarcasm, Jeff Bridges excelling as the superficially cranky mentor, and Jon Heder as a stoner-like chicken named Joe. Co-director Chris Buck also helmed Disney's Tony Hawk-influenced Tarzan, and those extreme-sports sensibilities seem to further benefit him here. Did Surf's Up have to be about penguins? Maybe not, but a wintry bird excelling at a summer pastime just adds to the underdog quality that makes films like this click. Add in the fact that it doubles as a lampoon of/homage to the great surfing documentaries, such as The Endless Summer and Riding Giants, and surf junkies should be just as geeked for it as their kids. ~ Rovi

Cast and Crew: Chris Buck  Director 
Chris Buck  Screenwriter 
Mychael Danna  Composer (Music Score) 
Don Rhymer  Screenwriter 
Lisa Addario  Screenwriter 
Ash Brannon  Director 
Ash Brannon  Screenwriter 
Christopher Jenkins  Producer 
Christopher Jenkins  Screenwriter 
Jenny Fulle  Executive Producer 
Shia LaBeouf  Actor 
Jeff Bridges  Actor 
Jeff Bridges  Actor 
Zooey Deschanel  Actor 
Jon Heder  Actor 
James Woods  Actor 
Diedrich Bader  Actor 
Mario Cantone  Actor 
Kelly Slater  Actor 
Rob Machado  Actor 
Ash Brannon  Actor 
Sal Masekela  Actor 
Chris Buck  Actor 
Brian Posehn  Actor 
Dana L. Belben  Actor 

Country: USA