Surf's Up
Surf's Up (2007) is an animated mockumentary film from Sony Pictures Animation that follows Cody Maverick, a young rockhopper penguin who dreams of becoming a professional surfer. Leaving his home in Shiverpool, Antarctica, Cody travels to Pen Gu Island to compete in the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. The film chronicles his journey of self-discovery, where he learns that true sportsmanship and friendship are more valuable than merely winning, aided by a compassionate lifeguard and a reclusive former champion. It blends humor, heart, and visually impressive surfing sequences through a unique documentary style. The movie explores themes of finding purpose, teamwork, and humility, offering a generally family-friendly experience with positive underlying messages. It aims for a wide audience, primarily targeting pre-teens and older children, while also incorporating humor that adults may appreciate. The film is known for its innovative animation and engaging narrative structure, making it stand out among other animated features.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumAcademic analysis suggests the film contains subtle 'queer coding' and challenges heteropatriarchal norms, depicting characters who might be interpreted as 'others' escaping a less accepting community. The character Chicken Joe exhibits traits that blur traditional gender norms. A trans voice actress, Maddie Taylor, also contributed to the film.
When Tank Evans confronts Chicken Joe during a surfing contest, he throws him into the sand, exposing his grass skirt, and remarks, 'keep your girlfriend out of this!' (0:18:55), which has been analyzed as representing a 'homophobic society'. Chicken Joe is frequently depicted with typically feminine interests and appearances, such as getting a heart tattoo on his backside and wearing a grass skirt and coconut bra. The film's villain, Tank Evans, is also portrayed with 'toxic masculinity' and refers to his trophies as 'his ladies' in a scene mocking exaggerated masculinity.
Violence
MediumThe film contains mild, non-graphic animated violence, mostly in the form of slapstick comedy, surfing wipeouts, and bullying. No blood or gore is shown, and injuries are typically played for comedic effect or are quickly recovered from.
Cody's older brother, Glen, verbally harasses Cody and is shown hitting him in the face during a dinner scene. The antagonist, Tank Evans, engages in bullying, yells at Cody, and physically knocks him to the ground. Cody experiences a 'violent wipeout' during a surfing contest and hits his head on a rock underwater, briefly rendering him unconscious.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThere are several instances of suggestive humor and implied romantic interactions, though nothing explicit. This includes suggestive comments, partial implied nudity, and characters ogling others.
Pro-surfer Tank Evans is shown in his trophy room caressing his gold cups and plaques, speaking to them in a sexually suggestive manner, and calling one a 'dirty girl' while making kissing noises. Reggie Belafonte, an otter, is interviewed in a hot tub, and his groin area is briefly pixelated, implying nudity. Cody and Lani share a 'shower' together under a waterfall accompanied by soft music, and an almost-kiss between them is interrupted.
Profanity
MediumThe movie includes mild language and rude humor. While not frequent, there are a few instances of exclamations and name-calling that some parents may find objectionable, aligning with its PG rating.
Cody Maverick says, 'This place sucks'. Cody also calls Tank Evans a 'pecker face,' which some viewers may interpret as a stronger insult due to an intentional double entendre. Other terms used include 'crap,' 'shut up,' 'lazy butt,' 'blubber ball,' 'loser,' 'jerk,' and a young penguin calls Tank a 'dirty trash can full of poop'.
Substance Use
MediumWhile most parental guidance resources state no drug or alcohol content, some reviews indicate mild innuendo or implied substance use. The film does not contain explicit depictions of illegal drug use or smoking.
Reggie Belafonte, the promoter, is shown consuming six drinks in coconut shells in quick succession. Chicken Joe, portrayed as a drawling, chilled-out surfer, asks ravenous native penguins if they've got 'the munchies,' which some interpretations suggest is a double entendre related to marijuana use.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie includes scenes of peril and suspense during surfing wipeouts and confrontations that might be intense for very young children. The overall tone remains adventurous, but there are verbal references to potentially darker scenarios.
Cody is depicted being 'sucked under a wave while surfing' on two occasions, with implied risk of drowning, which could be frightening for younger audiences. Reggie Belafonte gleefully talks about 'sharks circling, blood in the water and the 'spectacular carnage'' in anticipation of a surfing accident.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe main character, Cody Maverick, initially exhibits a rebellious and somewhat disrespectful attitude towards his family and community in pursuit of his surfing dream. The antagonist, Tank Evans, consistently displays an arrogant and disrespectful attitude.
Early in the film, Cody and his brother Glen are shown to be 'highly disrespectful of their mother' in an interview segment. Cody is also described as 'impetuous' and 'undeterred by big brother Glen's mockery and his mom's inability to connect with him,' highlighting his defiant spirit. Tank Evans consistently exhibits an 'obnoxiously self-centered' and arrogant attitude, bullying fellow surfers and acting with overt disrespect towards competitors and rules.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no discernible content related to explicit witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, or supernatural elements. The film is grounded in a comedic, sports-oriented reality. There is a brief mention of a cultural belief related to surfing and nature.
The film mentions that ancient islanders believed a person's heart becomes infused with a surfboard as they shape it. This is presented as a minor cultural or spiritual belief, not an active practice of witchcraft, sorcery, or occult rituals. No characters engage in spellcasting, rituals, or interact with demons or spirits.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThere are no explicit anti-Christian themes or content present. Reviews from Christian outlets generally highlight positive moral messages within the film, such as friendship, perseverance, and learning selflessness.
Christian review sites like Movieguide and Christian Spotlight on the Movies commend the film for its 'light moral worldview' which stresses positive values like becoming less selfish, finding purpose, and understanding that there is more to life than just winning, without opposing Christian beliefs. The narrative focuses on Cody's personal growth and the development of sacrificial friendships, particularly when Cody chooses to help Chicken Joe over winning the competition.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
7+ (Seven years and older) with parental guidance recommended for younger viewers. The film is rated PG for mild language and some rude humor. While the overall themes are positive, elements like bullying, suggestive remarks, and mild peril may be better understood and processed by children aged seven and above.
Additional Notes
The film utilizes a unique mockumentary format, which can add a layer of humor and introspection to the characters' development. The animation quality, especially of the surfing scenes, is frequently praised. While a sequel, 'Surf's Up 2: WaveMania', was released in 2017, the tone and content concerns primarily apply to the original 2007 film and do not significantly alter the initial film's assessment.
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