2007 gave us not one but two films about animated penguins. Happy Feet seemed to target the Disney - Lion King crowd by including plenty of music in their film. They somehow finagled both Beach Boys and Beatle Songs as well as more modern music into the score. Given that most Pixar-Disney films feature very little music in their films, HAPPY FEET was able to walk into territory traditionally held by Disney Animation. By all accounts HAPPY FEET was a widely successfully film.
Surfs Up seems to reference HAPPY FEET right off the bat by saying that Cody, the main character, does not dance or sing (he only surfs). By including a few well placed poop jokes, Surfs Up practically guaranteed itself a PG rating which may have given this film a wider audience. They also include more punk like songs which traditionally have had no place in the field of animation.
Both films feature hot actors: Elijah Woods fresh off of Lord of the Rings and Shia LeBeouf soon to be in the 4th Indiana Jones movie. While Happy Feet is a slam dunk for the 10 and under crowd, Surfs Up will probably have more longevity in the average DVD collection.
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