Surf's Up (2007)

"Surf's Up" is probably the most decent film I have ever seen. The animation's decent, the voice acting's decent, the story's decent, the comedy's decent. That's it. The best word to describe this film is the word "decent."

The first time I heard about this movie I wasn't very enthusiastic about it, because I thought that it was going to be similar to "Happy Feet" (A movie which I hated, despite the great animation) Fortunately, "Surf's Up" ended being much more enjoyable than I was expecting. It is true that it had some tired clichés and overused formulas, but the result is still watchable.I think that the fake documentary treatment that this movie had (In a similar way to Rob Reiner's "This Is Spinal Tap") served to make a couple of scenes (That could have been much worse done in a conventional manner) funnier and much more interesting.While the main character was a bit boring and almost without any kind of distinctive traits (A flaw which sadly became quite common in some of the CGI animated movies from the recent years) the secondary characters were more likable and interesting. Personally, I think that Chicken Joe (voiced by Jon Heder) would have been a much more interesting protagonist, but anyway, this was still a satisfying film for the whole family, with great animation and good voice acting. I found it to be worth watching.6.5/10

Movies with penguins tend to be environmental. By that, I mean the plot basically consists of humans who do something evil or otherwise are causing harm to either the penguins or to other creatures. Doing so, the message is to not harm nature. I love nature and don't want to destroy it, but when movies are dedicated to showing that humans are the only cause, then I get annoyed and frustrated.Happy Feet is a good example. The first one was major political. The second not so much, but still consisted of humans doing evil things (how dare they eat chicken!). Surf's up was different. It didn't mention humans at all, in fact I dare say it may have been a penguin world for all I know.I loved the story, and especially loved the look and feel the film was looking for. Shaky cameras making it seem like actual people were there interviewing everyone. It was really nicely done.I rate this 7/10.

I have NO doubt that Shakespere, Beethoven, Da Vinci and many other great artists of the past would be amazed seeing the huge amount of wonderful artwork packed in this gracious, lovely movie.No amount of praise would suffice to pay due honor to all those involved in the creation of Surf's Up. I can only thank you all for the superb inspiration, work, sensibility and craftsmanship.Everything is in place. C.G., score, storyline, humor, mood. Lighting, colors - amazing colors, amazing score.Surf's Up is truly a masterpiece, second to none.That's the kind movie that really makes you feel joyous, that makes you realize that life is worth living, if not for anything else but for experiencing moments like those I experience whenever I watch this beautiful animation.