In 'Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania', WWE Superstars Play Penguin Versions of Themselves

The direct-to-video computer-animated comedy film Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania is the sequel to Surfs Up, a 2007 animated mockumentary film about surfing penguins.  It’s probably the unlikeliest animated film sequel I’ve ever seen.  While it’s not the first time for a theatrical movie to get a direct-to-video sequel, as well as it’s not the first time WWE ridiculously teamed up with an animated franchise, it is the first time I encountered a direct sequel of an animated movie be WWE-ized.

In this movie, Vince McMahon, Triple H, Paige, the Undertaker, and John Cena play fictionalized, penguin versions of themselves (except Mr. McMahon, who is an otter), collectively known as “The Hang 5”, an elite group of daredevil surfers.  Meanwhile, Michael Cole is a seagull reporter/announcer accompanying them.

Cody Maverick, the protagonist of the first movie, is a big fan of theirs, and is much elated when they visited Pen Gu Island.  When Mr. McMahon announces that he’s retiring from the Hang 5, a vacancy is opened in the group.  In order to prove that he’s worthy to become Mr. McMahon’s replacement, Cody has to compete with other characters from the first movie – his friends Chicken Joe and Lani Aliikai, and bitter rival Tank “The Shredder” Evans – as they go on a perilous journey towards a mysterious surfing spot.

It’s a dumb, uncomplicated movie.  But there’s some satisfaction and fun to be had from it, as far as pleasing the basic, undemanding tastes is concerned.  The animation is fine, I guess, for its direct-to-video budget.  And, as usual from a WWE cartoon production, it makes some puns and visual gags that reference WWE stuff which only WWE fans will have the chance of finding amusement.

Simply, Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania is exactly the realize-it-for-it-is, nothing-else-better-to-watch, kids-as-target-audience, passable movie that it could possibly be.