Despite being set in a world of anthropomorphic talking animals, the film parodies surfer documentaries, complete with handheld camera shots and interviews with the cast spliced in various places. It tells of a young Rockhopper penguin named Cody Maverick, who dreams of moving to the tropics and becoming a legendary surfer, like his idol, Big Z.A 2007 CGI animated film, and the second one from Sony Pictures Animation. It earned a surprising Academy Award nomination, and is so far the only feature film from Sony's animation division to do so.
By Wall That Is Holey: At one point Cody and Joe knock over one of those cut-out figures you put your own face in; baby penguin Arnold is walking past and escapes being squashed by being in the exact place the hole for the face falls. What makes it funny is that he doesn't notice.
Character Development: Like most people that appear on reality television, Cody is initally under the impression that he's the most fascinating person on earth. By the end of the movie, he tells the camera crew: "To be honest, I'm kind of bored of talking about myself."
Disappeared Dad: Both Cody and Chicken Joe never knew their fathers. Cody's dad was eaten by a killer whale, while Joe's was served as part of a six-piece meal.
Cody says "Bring it on, pecker face!" to Tank. We're pretty sure they meant his beak, right?
After the volcano race.
Lani: Can I tell you something personal?
Cody: (flirty tone) Lani, we're in the shower together, y'can say whatever you want...
Also, Chicken Joe, who's clearly a stoner.
Tank sure loooves polishing his trophies...
When the kids bury Chicken Joe in the sand, they put one of the sand castle towers on his crotch.
Chicken Joe also refers to his "nuggets".
Hated Hometown: Cody. "Good-old Shriverpool. *razz* This place sucks, bro!"
Heroic BSOD: Cody and Big Z both get one after losing to Tank. Ironically it was Cody's that caused Big Z to take the first initiative towards helping them BOTH get back on the surfboard.
I Just Want to Be Normal: In the end, Big Z doesn't see himself as "the greatest surfer" or considers himself a legend, he's just a guy who really loves surfing.
Not So Different: Big Z cared more about winning, as a result of the contests taking the fun out of surfing. Lani pointed out to Cody that cared more about winning than her or Zeke.
Parental Abandonment: Cody and Joe's fathers were eaten by a whale and fried for dinner, respectively, and Lani was apparently raised by her uncle, the Geek/Big Z
After seeing Big Z as a quitter, Cody felt like he lost another father.
Cody: It's bad enough to lose one dad... Interviewer: What do you mean by that? Cody: Nothing, just forget it.
Parental Favoritism: Cody's mom at first favors his older brother, but after the contest seems to favor Cody, much to his brother's displeasure ("I really hope, that some day, you can be more like Cody." "...This interview's over.")
Precocious Crush: The young penguin Arnold has one on Lani, to the point where he routinely drowns himself, just so she can rescue him.
Scenery Porn: Zooey Daschnel was sold after seeing test footage of the giant waves, and the finished product is spectacular too.
Second Place Is For Losers: * Thoroughly subverted. Big Z humorously calls Cody a "loser" because he didn't come in first, and Chicken Joe is shocked he won - he was just having fun and it isn't clear he even know he was in a contest. During the entire film, all of the interviewed characters say that loser is as loser does, regardless of whether they come in first or not - save Tank of course.
Surfer Dude: Everyone on Pen Gu Island, but Chicken Joe is the funny stereotype.
Sweet and Sour Grapes: Turned inside-out; Big Z's complaint was that surfing competitions took all of the fun out of the pastime. Chicken Joe, obviously just happy to be there and surf, takes the competition and the trophy. Cody, happily reunited with Z, is the sweet side. Tank, on the other hand, is sucking lemons!
Tastes Like Chicken: Which is basically I Am A Humanitarian where Chicken Joe is concerned. It saves his life when he gives the food to chicken-eating natives.
Undercrank: Parodied in a sped-up montage when the surf contest is being set up. The backing music starts to speed up faster and faster along with the camera, and at the end, Mikey says "I feel lightheaded" in a chipmunk voice.
Well, still played straight. The real winner, Chicken Joe, is even more of an underdog then Cody. More of a case of there being two underdogs.
Wax On, Wax Off. Parodied and subverted, in which Zeke has Cody doing ridiculous training exercises to help him "learn how to surf". Cody finally figured out that Zeke was playing practical jokes on him, and learned that the real lesson was to relax and just have fun.
What the Hell, Hero?: Cody asked Big Z to watch him surf in the contest. But Z refused the offer. Both Cody and Z then get into an argument until Cody wants to know why he was hiding after his wipeout. After Z tells him the whole story, Cody becomes disheartened that his hero quits. Z admits it and walks off in anger. Lani follows him and gives Cody a "what the hell" look. Later, she berates Cody for caring more about winning.
Strawman Has a Point: Father-less Cody has a point in that whether Big Z cares about winning or not, he still should watch Cody surf. Missing it is akin to a father missing his kid's recital or part in a play.
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