Surf's Up has its own share of bad jokes

TUTURED BOND: It's the playful, mischievous relationship between Cody and his mentor that is the real charm of the film.

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Keywords: Suf's Up, Hollywood

Direction: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck

Penguins are the rage these days, and in Hollywood they clearly haven't heard the phrase "too much of a good thing". So what you've got now, after March of the Penguins and Happy Feet - both Oscar-winning films incidentally - is Surf's Up, a brand new animation film about a teenage penguin who enters his first pro-surfing contest but doesn't make it beyond the initial rounds.

Eventually he gets lessons in surfing and winning from a retired professional who he later discovers is his own childhood hero.

Now it's an underdog story like most underdog stories you've seen before, the only difference being this one's about penguins not dogs. Okay, that was a bad joke. But truth is this film itself has its own share of bad jokes, including some about pooping and farting. Not cool in a children’s movie. But to make up for that you've got some very good voice talent.

Upcoming actor Shia LeBouf provides his voice for Cody, the young penguin who's the protagonist of this film, and none other than Jeff Bridges does the voice for Cody's mentor Big Z.

Now if, like me, you're a fan of Jeff Bridges especially from the Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski, then you'll probably recognise the fact that he seems to be bringing a little of his character from that film The Dude into this picture, and truth is, he's able to adapt it to his role here quite comfortably.

It's the playful, mischievous relationship between Cody and his mentor that is the real charm of Surf's Up. It's a mildly entertaining film, it's got a few good moments, but truth is I'd still rather watch The Lion King all over again.