Surf’s Up
It’s a wonder that the whole surface of the ocean is not a solid mass of penguins, so prolific the creatures seem in the movie industry of late. Ah, am I wandering? Not this time . . . whether they’re marching or dancing or just making strange off-the-flipper remarks, Hollywood has been a little penguin-happy to the point of burning audiences out , it seems, and that is a true, true shame.
Having investigated perhaps one too many mundane three-quels in as many weeks, I found myself drawn into the theater this weekend to see the animated “Surf’s Up” rather than the celebrated personage-driven “Ocean’s Thirteen.” One doesn’t see too many surfing pictures on the big screen these days, and when one manages to make it to that point, it usually has some strength to it. And happily, that it what makes “Surf’s Up” . . . it’s a surfing movie and not a penguin movie.
It’s also a documentary. It also has the plot arc of many an old martial arts movie like “Karate Kid” or “No Retreat, No Surrender.” It also has the voice of Zooey Deschanel, which is almost as cute as the rest of Zooey Deschanel. There’s also a chicken as a central character. No, this is not just another penguin movie.
The animation is beautiful and fully realized. Since the plot doesn’t limit itself to artic locales like last year’s “Happy Feet” there is a full color palette for the artists to work with, and they make the most of it. And the visuals aren’t all that has had time to mature in this animated film. The script has an adult sensibility to it, a depth of character that will be all-too familiar to the world-weary adult while providing fun and motion to keep the kids engaged.
Casting Jeff Bridges as the voice of the Obi-wan Kenobi of surfing for “Surf’s Up” was definitely a masterstroke by the film-makers (evoking a little bit of “the Dude” doesn’t hurt al all). Once his character shows up, the movie seems to move to a new level, giving it a little more depth for us older folks . . . could it be that they’re starting to make cartoons for the middle-aged?
One wonders. If you’re having and endless summer, this might be the perfect way to make an hour and a half pass happily by.
What Great-grandfather Sherlock might have said:
“Stand at the water’s edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start!“
Past Investigations
An Introduction to
Mr. Sherlock Holmes IV