Predictable but engaging animated feature breaks no new ground (and how many more penguin-starring features do we need?) but remains likable and visually pleasing throughout.
Young hotshot Cody Maverick (voiced by Shia LaBeouf) travels to from Antarctica to compete in the Big Z Memorial, a surfing contest named after his fallen hero.
After initial humiliation at the hands of champion surfer Tank (Diedrich Bader) and some heavy waves, Maverick winds up in the hands of love interest Lani (Zooey Deschanel) and her uncle Geek (Jeff Bridges), who will serve as a mentor to the overzealous youngster; banter with friend Chicken Joe (Jon Heder) serves as the main comic relief.
Faux-documentary approach borrows a bit too heavily from reality TV, but remains a welcome contrast to the more conventional storytelling techniques usually found in animated films.
Animation is modest but pleasing – the characters have a warmth and personality missing from many other computer-animated features, and the surfing scenes are smooth and accomplished; backgrounds, however, often look curiously flat.
Film is at its best in the water, and seems to have a genuine love for the sport of surfing; grainy flashbacks to Big Z at the outset are filled with a wonderful sense of nostalgia.
Overall, it´s satisfying feature that has enough to entertain adults as well as kids and doesn´t overstay its welcome.
