I mean, there might as well not been an ocean before Z. These guys were the pioneers, but nobody saw what surfing could really be until Big Z did it.įilmmaker: Could you tell us who Big Z was?Ĭody Maverick: Who was Big Z? You're asking the right guy.
Up 'till recent times, you had your old dudes, you know, your hang-six cats, these old guys used to lay down with these huge, humongous boards. All they needed was, like, um, a piece of driftwood, a block of ice or something like that, and then they were off. So as soon as there was the first wave, right? - there was the first surfer. Where do I start?įilmmaker: How about just at the beginning?Ĭody Maverick: Okay, well.
Surf's Up won't win any prizes for best kids' film ever, but it's certainly one of this summer's best, and kids will find it lots of fun whether they're interested in surfing or not.Filmmaker: Since we're talking about surfing, why don't you give us your thoughts about surfing?Ĭody Maverick: Surfing, surfing. There are also plenty of jokes at the expense of sports television which underscore the film's central point: it's not the winning, it's the taking part that counts. Occasionally we are reminded of the presence of the documentary crew when a new character asks who they are or their microphone inadvertently gets into shot. The little red squid float she carries with her everywhere exemplifies the vein of more sophisticated, sometimes quite dark humour that runs throughout. The perpetually stoned Chicken Joe who becomes Cody's loyal friend is particularly endearing, whilst Zooey Deschanel makes a bold effort with a underwritten role as Lani, the lifeguard who steals our hero's heart. Of course, the genius of this will probably be lost on young viewers, but for adults of a technical bent it's reason enough to watch the film in itself.Īlthough its hero is a little older than most of its audience will be, Surf's Up has several other characters to appeal to viewers of all ages. The shifts in light as one moves downwards through the water, the patterns of sunbeams across its surface, even the humidity in the air - everything looks real. All the complex swirls and eddies created by waves and surfboards are perfectly calculated, so that nothing ever looks out of place. Much of the time one really has the impression that one is watching cartoon characters immersed in real water. Even the background characters, including those who don't get speaking roles, are all distinct individuals.īut what really impresses in this film is the animated water. The animation which has gone into these characters is magnificent, giving them lots of subtle facial expressions and body language. He's well matched by Jeff Bridges' laconic clam-eating jungle bum. Man of the moment Shia LaBeouf gives Cody lots of character, making him into a complicated hero who isn't always easy to like but who is both believable and interesting to watch. Surf's Up has a twee, overfamiliar story, but that's not a particular problem, as it's fresh enough to the children who are its primary audience, and it tells its tale fairly well. When he obtains the support of a mysterious stranger, it's time for Cody to learn what training really means, to come to terms with the loss of his father, and to figure out just what it is that he's doing it all for. Seduced by the happy go lucky atmosphere and the glamour of appearances on the Sports Penguin Entertainment Network (SPEN), Cody is having the time of his life - until a hopeless contest against reigning champion and inveterate bully Tank Evans makes him realise he was only ever there for people to laugh at. The film crew documenting his life get a lucky break when Cody has the opportunity to ride a whale to Hawaii, there to participate in the avian world's most important annual event.
Cody Maverick is a surly young penguin stuck in the dead end town of Shiverpool, Antarctica, where he dreams of being a surfing star like his long lost hero, Big Z. Even animated characters can't get away from it. Reality television is everywhere these days.
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