Surf's Up

The filmmakers transformed an excellent subject that pokes fun at the established practices (and clichés) of sports documentaries into what can be called "heavy comfort." The fact that they are traditionally aware of their own options and abilities doesn't matter here because the vocal charisma of the actors gives it incredible energy, with great animation to boot. A damn fine hour and a half. (04/09/2009)

I have a feeling that recently everything has been touching me... But it is true that the creators of this animation really tried. Besides being able to create a quite interesting story - not original, but interesting indeed - they also managed to use a slightly different style. Most of the film is shot as a documentary and it looks good. Occasionally, you forget about it, but then it reminds you and it's alright. It works, just like the emotions in the film. (24/03/2014)

"Help the Chicken..." With the ease of an Australian surfer, Surf’s Up breaks through the already somewhat murky puddle of the same old computer-animated movies. The problem, however, is that it is fresh only in form, but not in content. The editing of the would-be documentary fits perfectly, but all the potential of this form is shown-off in the imaginative opening scene with the history of penguin surfing and in the interviews before the camera immediately afterwards... Then followed by recycling of the same thing in a hundred and one ways. The theme is a family "classic" about self-confidence, falling on your face (or beak), and finding the right values. Surf’s Up has precisely, and I mean precisely, the same plot and twists (if you can even call them that) as last year's Cars from Pixar. The aura of an enjoyable movie can't be shaken off Surf’s Up, but it is a crying shame that it has such frighteningly mediocre content. If it didn't, it would be truly worth it. (26/09/2007)

Damn, I would really like to try surfing. Surf’s Up is certainly one of the best animated movies for a long time. Filming the whole movie like a behind-the-scenes video was an excellent idea. Plus Shia rocks. It’s as if Cody Maverick gained not only his voice, but his acting talent too :-). It’s simply entertainment, no forced message about this or that. It’s about dreams coming true and the art of having fun. Yeeah. I’d ride a nice wave right this minute... ride a tunnel, but we don’t have a sea here in Nový Jičín. Dammit! :-) (26/09/2007)

The animation was masterful, and the idea with the film crew was great, but that's all the film had to offer. The story was clearly predictable, I got bored at times and only Chicken Joe really managed to make me chuckle. In short, I have seen far better animated films that were much funnier. This time, it didn't work out so well. (17/08/2016)