Surf's Up

Cowabunga, dudes. The summer clearly has begun with heart and style in Surf's Up, which follows on the heels of the Oscar-winning Happy Feet as yet another animated penguin movie. Cleverly shot in the form of a mockumentary, the film follows the adventures of Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf), a wannabe pro surfer as he enters his first major competition in the Pen Gu islands, far from his Antarctic home. So in the last two years we have had marching penguins, dancing penguins, and now surfing penguins. Apparently Hollywood feels these waddlers can do no wrong; and indeed, setting a talking animal 'toon in the context of the surf culture turns out to be an inspired idea. Even though kids are sure to appreciate the amusing characters, this is one mainstream family film that doesn't insult adults, who should at least get off on some of the hipper references the screenwriters have thrown in. Along with the likes of the not-too-bright paddling pal Chicken Joe (Jon Heder), fast-talking promoter Reggie (James Woods), and hot chick lifeguard Lani (Zooey Deschanel), there is a washed-up wave-riding legend named Big Z (Jeff Bridges), who really makes an impact on wide-eyed Cody as he teaches him there is more to the sport than just water and a long board. With stunning state-of-the-art animation that puts you right in the center of the wave, Surf's Up qualifies as awesome entertainment for just about anyone who ever dreamed of riding a tube. And as surfer bird movies go, this one hangs a perfect 10.