Chicken Joe is one of the most beloved characters from the 2007 animated surfing movie Surf’s Up. With his laidback personality, signature shaka sign, and tendency to refer to others as “bro”, Joe has left an endearing impression on viewers. But what exactly is Joe’s background, and what movie is this lovable rooster actually from? Let’s take a deeper dive.
Introducing Chicken Joe
In Surf’s Up, Chicken Joe is a skilled surfer from Sheboygan Wisconsin who enters the Big Z Memorial Surf Off competition on Pen Gu Island. Joe befriends the film’s protagonist Cody Maverick during their journey to the island by whale.
With his slang-filled vocabulary and tendency to see the bright side of things, Joe acts as a cheerful comic relief throughout the movie. He’s portrayed as having a very relaxed, carefree personality – seemingly unfazed by the competition on Pen Gu Island. Joe’s signature gestures include flashing the shaka sign and calling others “bro” in his mellow Wisconsin accent.
Visually, Joe is depicted as an anthropomorphic rooster with yellow-orange feathers and a green tail His blue eyes and lanky physique give him a laidback, almost hippie-like appearance. Joe’s design starkly contrasts Cody’s smaller, more high-strung penguin character
Chicken Joe’s Role in Surf’s Up
As Cody Maverick’s first friend on his journey to Pen Gu Island, Chicken Joe acts as a guide and confidante to the ambitious young penguin. When Cody becomes frustrated with his training under the mysterious surf guru Geek (later revealed to be his idol Big Z), Joe’s encouragement helps motivate Cody to find his courage and learn how to “surf the waves, not the trophies.”
During the surf competition itself, Joe maintains his lighthearted attitude amidst the rivalry between Cody and Tank Evans. In the final face-off, Tank tries knocking Joe off his board but Cody intervenes, resulting in both their disqualifications. Joe ends up winning the surf-off by default, but doesn’t gloat and is just happy to enjoy surfing with his new friends.
Overall, Chicken Joe represents a foil to the other characters more concerned with fame and glory. His friendship helps Cody regain his love of surfing. Joe is considered one of the most memorable characters from Surf’s Up for his kooky persona that ultimately hides surprising wisdom.
Origins and Background
Chicken Joe was voiced by actor Jon Heder, who was known for playing the title role in Napoleon Dynamite – another oddball comedic character. Heder’s natural speaking voice lends itself perfectly to bringing Joe’s unique surfer flair to life.
According to background information given in Surf’s Up, Joe hails from Marion, Ohio originally before moving to Yuma, Arizona for college. After getting an online associate’s degree in psychology, he returns to Sheboygan, Wisconsin in time to be recruited for the surf competition on Pen Gu Island in 2007 (the film’s setting).
Beyond his role in Surf’s Up, Chicken Joe doesn’t have a very extensive backstory. As a contestant in the surf competition, he was created specifically for the self-contained universe of the movie. But his reception was so positive that Joe appears again in the sequel Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania.
Appearances in Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania
The 2017 direct-to-video sequel Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania sees Chicken Joe return to Pen Gu Island for an exclusive surf camp competition. He serves as a judge alongside Cody and helps encourage novice surfer Cody’s young protegee Chicken Brent.
Joe appears sporadically throughout the movie but still brings his trademark laidback vibes, often seen swinging in a hammock and reminding the characters to “Surf the waves, brah. Not the fame.”
While a secondary figure compared to leads like WWE wrestler J.C., Joe’s reappearance helped connect the sequel to the original Surf’s Up. Fans were delighted to see the rooster back sharing his chill attitude.
Chicken Joe’s Cinematic Legacy
With his signature slang, shaka gestures, and penchant for doling out wisdom between “bro” and “brah”, Chicken Joe represents the cheerful, freewheeling soul of the franchise. Jon Heder’s unique voicework helps bring the character’s endearing aloofness to life.
For a mellow rooster just looking to spread good vibes and ride the waves, Chicken Joe has cemented himself as an iconic animated surfer dude. His legacy remains hanging ten in the hearts of Surf’s Up fans everywhere.
So next time you find yourself asking “what movie is Chicken Joe from?”, hopefully this gives you the full backstory on everyone’s favorite rooster bro! When you need a smile or a chill perspective on life, just remember the zen wisdom that Chicken Joe brings.
Chim Cánh Cụt Lướt Ván
- Chicken Joe: Cody. I know hes out here. I can feel it in my nuggets!
- Chicken Joe: So its day three. I come across Pen Guans.
- Chicken Joe: [Cut to Joe tied to a spit, carried by Pen Guans] Im Chicken Joe. Joseph. Its long for Joe.
- [Pen Guan shouts at Joe in native language]
- Chicken Joe: Thats cool.
- Chicken Joe: [cut back to Joe] They treat me as their king and put me in their hot tub. I guess their royal hot tub.
- [Cut to Joe in a boiling pot, while Pen Guins dance and cut vegetables to put on pot]
- Chicken Joe: It got all hot and steamy. It really opened up my pores.
- [Pen Guans throw vegetables in pot]
- Chicken Joe: They even served me food while I was in there. As great as it was, I still had a vision of my quest.
- [Joe steps out of pot, Pen Guans shout and throw spears]
- Chicken Joe: You know, weve known each other way back since, like… yesterday, I think it was.
- Rob: Hows it feel to win, Joe?
- Chicken Joe: I won?
- [in the aftermath of a storm]
- Chicken Joe: Lani, wheres Cody?
- [Codys surfboard washes ashore, and Lani starts crying]
- Lani Aliikai: Oh, crap!
- [runs out to save drowning penguin]
- Cody Maverick: Oh man, Im in love.
- Arnold: Help me, Im drowning.
- Chicken Joe: What are you standing here next to me for? You should go talk to her.
- Cody Maverick: No way, man! Im not gonna go talk to her.
- Chicken Joe: Dude, shes totally into you! She called you crap!
- Chicken Joe: Whoah! You gotta try this blowhole thing, man! This whale dude is giving me a brain freeze.
- Chicken Joe: [to Lani] I can help, though. Except if theres blood. Just the thought of blood makes me… makes me…
- [faints]
- Cody Maverick: My names Cody Maverick, Shiverpool. You?
- Chicken Joe: No, Im not from Shiverpool. Dude, Im from Lake Michigan. Thats where I surf. I was the only one around my town who did it.
- Chicken Joe: Squidito on el stickito?
- Chicken Joe: Butt freeze!
- Tank Evans: First, Im gonna take you down. Then Im gonna fry the chicken.
- Chicken Joe: [Lying on his board, staring at the sky] Whoa! That cloud looks just like a kitten. Aww.
- Filmmaker: Arent you worried about being out here in the jungle? Isnt it kinda dangerous?
- Chicken Joe: Dude, the jungle is like the most peaceful place on the planet.
- [Pen Guans appear and blow darts at Joe and the camera]
Surf’s Up but only scenes with Chicken Joe
FAQ
Is surf’s Up a Disney movie?
No, “Surf’s Up” is not a Disney movie. It is a 2007 American computer-animated mockumentary produced by Sony Pictures Animation. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures.
Who is Chicken Joe based on?
In the movie “Surf’s Up”, the character Chicken Joe is based on Larry “Longboard” Williams, a real-life surfer and a prominent figure in the Wisconsin surf scene on Medium.com. Williams is known for his passion for surfing in Lake Michigan and his unique, laid-back personality.
What was Cody Maverick’s famous quote?
Cody Maverick: Here I am, having a good time, riding the waves with my friends, not caring about who wins or loses but just surfing. Good old-fashioned fun, that’s, well, fun!
Is surf’s Up on Netflix?