Surf's Up (DVD, 2007, Special Edition; Full Frame)

Teenage penguin Cody (the too-deep-for-a-young-hero voice of Shia LaBeouf) pursues his life-long goal of becoming a professional surfer. Structured as if a documentary is being made about Cody's experiences, this computer-animated flick also features the voices of Zooey Deschanel, Jeff Bridges, Jon Heder, James Woods and Diedrich Bader.

Big question: After last year's "Happy Feet," do we need another penguin movie about following your dreams?

"Surf's Up" is too laid-back to really boogie--as if it prefers sipping pina coladas to catching waves--and not funny enough to compensate for merely average animation. There are better ways to entertain kids, like actually spending time outside and learning how to surf.

If you want an animated movie with animals who don't sing and dance. You'll be ecstatic when Cody proclaims he can do neither!

Some imagination is put into the occasionally amusing documentary approach--a sea urchin's gripes after being stepped on earn a hearty chuckle--and a little creativity goes a long way in today's animated kingdom. But being better than "Meet the Robinsons" and "TMNT" isn't a major accomplishment, and the best thing to say about the disposable but not annoying "Surf's Up" is, well, it's not terrible.

Directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck; screenplay by Don Rhymer, Brannon, Buck and Christopher Jenkins; senior animation supervision by David Schaub; edited by Ivan Bilancio; music by Mychael Danna; produced by Jenkins. A Columbia Pictures release; opens Friday. Running time: 1:25. MPAA rating: PG (for mild language and some rude humor).

Cody Maverick - Shia LaBeouf

Chicken Joe - Jon Heder

Lani Aliikai - Zooey Deschanel

Big Z - Jeff Bridges

THIS FILM IS A RENTAL FOR SURE!