Surf's up

[Ernest Rister]

Didn't find another thread devoted to this movie - I'll elaborate later, but this is a very good animated film, surprisingly good. It was mistakenly ignored as a Happy Feet rip-off, but they did things in this film I've never seen done before in an animated feature. If you find it cheap, feel free to blind buy. The PQ is misleading as the whole film has a layer of grain added to the image to make it resemble a low-budget film documentary, but the writing, animation, imagination, staging, and vocal performances by Bridges and others more than make up for surface gloss. Check it out, or if you've seen it, share your thoughts. I'll be back later this week with a proper review.

Best,

ER3

[Clapton101]

I love Surf's Up way better than Happy Feet

[GC Riot]

Wholeheartedly agree. It was fun that they went with the documentary angle, it made the film feel fresh and original. It's fun and heartfelt, and as has been mentioned, Bridges' slacker/surfer dude/mentor character was the highlight here. The animation, especially the water, is beautiful. It surprised the hell out of me and earns a solid recommendation.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

Wholeheartedly agree. It was fun that they went with the documentary angle, it made the film feel fresh and original. It's fun and heartfelt, and as has been mentioned, Bridges' slacker/surfer dude/mentor character was the highlight here. The animation, especially the water, is beautiful. It surprised the hell out of me and earns a solid recommendation.

They staged the CGI like a traditional CGI animated film, and then imported the data onto a VR stage similar to what you'd see in a mocap studio, except the animation had already been performed...and then they "re-shot" the movie with a simulated hand-held camera, matching the improvisational quality of the vocal performances. In other words, its the first hand-held animated film that I've ever seen, and it's actually a bit mind-boggling how they did it.

[hedliniv]

Honestly, I own it but will probably never watch it again because I absolutely can't stand the grain (only in animated movies). I know I know I know it was intended to look like that but I am so used to the perfect animation of Disney that I was just annoyed the entire time I watched the film. I could not get passed the grain...

I have lit my cigarette and put my blindfold on...

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by hedliniv

Honestly, I own it but will probably never watch it again because I absolutely can't stand the grain (only in animated movies). I know I know I know it was intended to look like that but I am so used to the perfect animation of Disney that I was just annoyed the entire time I watched the film. I could not get passed the grain...

I have lit my cigarette and put my blindfold on...

If you haven't seen it already, go pop in the disc, go to the bonus features, watch the "Not a Drop of Real Water: Surf Cam" feature. It might help give you a greater appreciation for what they did here. It shows the VR techniques, how the film was shot hand-held. Incredible work.

[Bk_Tan]

I loved this movie.

Sucks that it earned something like 50mil in the US whereas stupid, bash-your-head-in-with-illogical-twists-deux-es-machina-and-environmental-issues Happy Feet made 200mil

[Faint]

Loved this film, is it out on blu?

[Ernest Rister]

It's been out a good while - picked it up close to three years ago.

[JimSD]

I really like this movie too and have watched it numerous times. I think if the opening credits had said Pixar it would have been a huge hit. As suggested above, watch the 'making of' feature and you'll get a real appreciation for how they made the film.

[1blufan]

Great film !!
The rooster is hilarious. Some of the best animated water scenes in a movie in my opinion.
The bluray is fantastic and can be bought relatively cheap at Best Buy with Water Horse for $14.99.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Surf%27S...20up&lp=3&cp=1

[JimSD]

Originally Posted by 1blufan

Some of the best animated water scenes in a movie in my opinion.

Agreed. Every time I see this it makes me wonder how they screwed up the CGI ocean scenes so bad in 'Die Another Day'.

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by JimSD

Agreed. Every time I see this it makes me wonder how they screwed up the CGI ocean scenes so bad in 'Die Another Day'.

Well, Die Another Day was released in 2002 whereas Surf's Up is 2007. Suffice it to say, technology gets better overtime.

[cathexist]

Way better than Happy Feet...way more deserving of a sequel...though neither should have one anyway.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

Wholeheartedly agree. It was fun that they went with the documentary angle, it made the film feel fresh and original.

It also made it more tolerable to sit through than most third-parties:
Normally, sitcom gags done "documentary" style aren't that funny when they're done "The Office" or "Parks & Recreation--
And Dreamworks or Fox films feel like they're trying to personally nudge you in the ribs and waiting for you to laugh and buy the disk....But here, the documentary style felt like it removed us behind a protective glass shielding, we didn't feel as personally "assaulted" by the humor, and could just watch it for what it was.

(I keep remembering this movie as being in 3-D--and was about to ask why Sony didn't have an edition out yet--but that can't be right?
Has the movement taken that hold of our subconsciousness?)

[groove93]

I got a kick out of this movie as well. I love the film's non-traditional development with regards to the actors pretty much improvising their lines. Very entertaining to watch!

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Well, Die Another Day was released in 2002 whereas Surf's Up is 2007. Suffice it to say, technology gets better overtime.

That and the Brosnan Bonds always felt about five years behind with their visual f/x.

[gwfb5]

Does anyone know when this DVD combo pack came out?


I bought a copy that looks exactly like it at a bargain bin a little while ago, but there's no listing for it on the site and I want to add it.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by gwfb5

Does anyone know when this DVD combo pack came out?


I bought a copy that looks exactly like it at a bargain bin a little while ago, but there's no listing for it on the site and I want to add it.

Don't know.....will look.

[rdodolak]

^^ Looks like it came out sometime in 2011.