Woo chile!
It has been a minute.
Three months into the new year and I've only now hit the movie theater for the first time in the new year. This week I ventured out to check out the newest original Disney/Pixar film Hoppers. The story about a 19-year-old animal loving student who hijacks experimental technology to download her consciousness into a robotic beaver. So, basically Avatar in animated Disney/Pixar form. Too cute and promising to pass up I headed to my local theater to check it out.
Hoppers clocks in with a good runtime of an hour forty-four minutes. While it starts a little slow, the stunning realistic visuals keep you engaged while you wait for the rest of the film to catch up. I never got bored or restless, just anxious for the story to gain traction. Once the story kicked it paid off in the form of a fun, emotional, and entertaining ride.
Great creativity, vibrant colors and details leapt off the screen. The animation doesn't disappoint. Solid voice casting that brings the bluntness and brutality that is the harsh circle of life inherent to nature alive with humor and charm that keeps things “family friendly” but realistic.
There’s good messaging even if it can be a bit heavy handed in its delivery. Solid soundtrack and strong characterization.
I admit the main character of Mabel played by Piper Curda challenged me throughout the film. She pissed me off a number of times and had me disliking her greatly at others. That’s one of the things that actually elevates the film for me. The complexity of her character and the ensuing roller coaster ride makes this one of the stronger, more emotional, and engaging animated films of late. Not to be outshone, Bobby Moynihan's King George is a perfect foil.
Hoppers is entertaining, emotional, humorous, thoughtful, and well worth a look. It’s familiar in theme (e.g. Avatar/Over the Hedge) yet still feels fresh. The surprise villain origin story is epic in its simplicity. The charm and warmth will make you happy you took the initiative to see this one on the big screen. If you do, be warned there is a single post credit sequence that wraps things up nicely so pace your fluid intake, so you don’t miss it.
I’m giving Hoppers an 8. 5.
#Hoppers
