Surf's Up: DVD Review, Blu-ray disc Review

In the wake of “March of the Penguins” and “Happy Feet,” Hollywood serves up another helping of penguins in the computer-animated “Surf’s Up."

This time out, the tuxedoed critters are featured in a movie in which the blistering cold of the Antarctic is replaced by the blistering heat of a tropical island. There, they ride towering waves--and run up against some towering egos--in heated competitions.

The movie is the slightest of the recent penguin lot--it only wants to entertain, but turns out to be enough.

The film follows the teenage penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) through the difficulty of his father’s death and his dream of becoming a champion surfer. Helping him to that end are his friends (Jon Heder, Zooey Deschanel) and especially Big Z (Jeff Bridges), a surfing legend who reluctantly agrees to train Cody to win against the reigning surfing champ, Tank Evans (Diedrich Bader).

Bridges' laid-back performance is a highlight, but so was the decision to shoot the film like a mock documentary. It's an approach that allows for spontaneity, such as when the characters suddenly bark out their feelings and frustrations at the cameras, or when three baby penguins neatly steal the show with their clever asides.

Rated PG. Grade: B+

Read a more in-depth review of the film here.