Surf's Up is Locked In

We saw the animated movie "Surf's Up" this weekend and I think I would have rather stayed home to nap. It's not that it's a terrible movie--it's just that there's nothing really worthwhile in it to make it recommendable.

First there's this whole idea that penguins surf using boards. It's just too strange. It'd be one thing if this movie were an allegory using penguins to represent people but the movie can't commit one way or the other. One moment they're firmly penguins while the next they're surfing, living in igloos and wearing jewelry. The movie wants it both ways and it just doesn't work.

The story is only marginally interesting. The plot "twists" are so incredibly obvious that the result is boredom for all but the youngest of viewers. Even the underlying love story doesn't really go anywhere. Thinking about it now I can't even say for sure if the two characters end up together.

The funniest thing about the movie is the wiped-out chicken who steals what's available of the show to be stolen.

I will say that the best thing about the movie is the way it looks. Computer animation has really just continued to evolve and improve. Every new movie seems to find more ways to impress us with better graphics. The water here looked good enough to dive into and they showed it using several varied looks and colors.

As a technical example it's quite a piece of work to look at but sadly that's about all you can say about it.