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Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: Surf's Up is actually a pretty funny and sophisticated comedy. It's relentlessly playful and imaginative in the vein of "Toy Story," while keenly observant about comic nuances of behavior and bubbling over with neurotic dialogue. Read more
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: The film's vibe could only be described as 'sun-baked.' Some kids' movies don't try very hard, and you resent the laziness. This one doesn't try too hard, but its offhandedness is a break from the usual manic Over the Hedge-y attack. Read more
David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: The kids won't know how terrific Surf's Up is. Read more
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: The novelty wears off almost immediately, leaving this a real chore to watch; there's something bizarre about low-budget spontaneity being replicated in such a labor-intensive medium. Read more
Tasha Robinson, AV Club: It just stands out in a crowded field of tacky also-rans by being a reasonably acceptable, more or less non-obnoxious way to spend an hour and a half. Read more
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic: From the nondescript voices to routine animation to an over-written story, this movie spends much of its time gasping for air. Read more
Michelle Kung, Boston Globe: Between the breezy surfer culture and insider references, Surf's Up is the most colorful of the penguin 'toons to date, both figuratively and literally. Read more
Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times: Many of the riffs in the mock documentary might be lost on little tykes, but the film's feel-good message of perseverance, friendship and finding your own wave should be enjoyed by all. Read more
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle: The film's tubular visuals and sun-struck philosophizing celebrate the sport while spoofing its disciples, mixing B-grade potty humor and totally-like-fried-chicken gags with faux interviews a la Christopher Guest. Read more
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: The fact that LaBeouf can read a line like, 'Winners find a way no matter what' -- and not sound corny -- is emblematic of what makes Surf's Up such an enjoyable ride. Read more
Michael Booth, Denver Post: Fresh, funny, inventive and engaging. Dang if those dumb little birds didn't find a movie that lets them be cuddly animals with human problems, an animated flick whose anthropomorphism is appealing rather than appalling. Read more
Tom Long, Detroit News: Marred by sudden dead spots and afflicted with a few alarming fits of double entendre inappropriateness. Read more
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: As formulas go, the movie, team-written and -directed, sneaks in more tubular charm than the average adult ticket buyer might expect -- or that very young attendees might appreciate. Read more
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: If its tale of a teenage penguin who follows his dream of becoming a great surfing champion weren't tired enough, Surf's Up compounds its lack of inventiveness by styling itself as a 'mockumentary,' another gimmick as surfed out as a Florida beach. Read more
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: Surf's Up is that rarity in a children's movie, a comedy that's actually exciting. Watching the penguins ride inside the tube of a wave, or plunge under the surface, you may find yourself wanting to cheer. Read more
Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News: Sorry, cynics, Surf's Up is a charmer. And if the birds look somewhat familiar, they have something fresh to say about friendship and what winning is all about. Read more
Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: If you have to see another penguin blockbuster, you could do worse than this loose-limbed charmer. Read more
Jan Stuart, Newsday: A spry, animated surfing-doc send-up, complete with dull-headed surfer dudes, cannibal birds and a reject from Chicken Run. Read more
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger: The jaunty sports story contains colorful characters, witty wisecracks and kinetic surf scenes. It's refreshing to see an animated family film that doesn't look like it was made on autopilot. Read more
Kyle Smith, New York Post: Maybe the next penguin flick will do more justice to the subject. How about going all grindhouse in Lesbian Vampire Penguins of the SS? Read more
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: The first delightful surprise among the summer blockbusters. Beautifully animated, terrifically acted and edited in a way that hilariously mimics those Endless Summer surf documentaries, it will amuse kids and flat-out tickle adults. Read more
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: Surf's Up! has a jokey-serious tone that engages both children and adults. Read more
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle: The movie has just as much in common with This Is Spinal Tap or even Dogtown and Z-Boys as the cutesy and formulaic films that typically get churned out this time of year. Read more
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The originality of the documentary format coupled with the splendid CGI effects qualifies Surf's Up as not just another penguin movie. Read more
Rob Salem, Toronto Star: Surf's Up is quite surprisingly good, going for the subtle chuckle where Happy Feet opted for show-stopping spectacle. Read more
TIME Magazine: Not a comedy tsunami, just consistent ripples of laughs and good vibes. Read more
Claudia Puig, USA Today: Not exactly awash in cleverness, but it is good clean fun for the family. Read more
Peter Debruge, Variety: Just when parents managed to calm their tap-dancing tots, along comes another animated penguin pic -- this time featuring South Pole fowl who surf. Read more
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: It's an old story, but [the directors] infuse it with terrific wit and energy, structuring Surf's Up like a mock documentary and doing a remarkable job of approximating vintage film stock. It's cool but not too cool, and cute but not too cute. Read more