Movie Reviews
Surf’s Up
2007
Nene Rate: 10
Genres: Action/Adventure and Comedy Running Time: 1 hr. 25 min. Release Date: June 8th, 2007 (wide) MPAA Rating: PG for mild language and some rude humor. Distributors:
Sony Pictures Releasing, Sony Pictures Releasing International U.S. Box Office: $58,867,694
Cody is a teenage penguin who wants to be a champion surfer. When he was a baby, he met a champion surfer named Big Z. Big Z became Cody’s idol. One day a talent scout came to Cody’s town looking for surfers for a contest. Cody goes to Hawaii for a big surf contest.
The animation is great and I always like how these stories have morals. And for some reason many of these animated stories involve a child who has been orphaned by one of his parents as with Bambi, Dumbo, Finding Nemo, and many other movies. Cody’s father died when he was young so it is only natural that he would seek out a father figure like Big Z.
Cody is a very relatable character. He is a bit of a brat and doesn’t seem to like anyone but he’s cool. He lashes out at authority figures and dances to his own drum.
I find it interesting how the characters relate and transform in the movie. How Cody learns to accept authority and learns that everyone is not what they appear to be as his fantasy of his idol is completely shattered and he learns that he is a regular guy.
The mentoring of Big Z towards Cody is reminiscent of how Mr. Miagi in Karate Kid mentored Daniel. Petty unorthodox, but he teaches him to do what he is told and how to be a champion surfer. I think Cody and Big Z also learn that winning isn’t everything and that relationships are what truly matter.
Other movies like this: Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Charlottes’ Web .
