Hoppers is not the kind of movie you think it is. From the moment it started, it surprised me.
I’ll be honest, I had really low expectations for Hoppers, and quite frankly, I think Disney and Pixar did too. They’re not even really marketing the movie. I know audiences will love this film, they just need to know about it.
Hoppers is funny, wholesome, and far more action-packed than I expected. The story is elevated by an amazing voice cast who completely disappear into their characters. Pixar also seems to be doing something different with their animation style, and it looks fantastic. Once again, this is one of those animated films that has something special for the whole family.
Hoppers follows Mabel Tanaka, a young girl who wants to save the world one animal at a time. After a group of scientists invent a way to “hop” human minds into lifelike robotic animal bodies, Mabel uses the technology to embody a robotic beaver and stop a politician’s plan to destroy the local animal habitat. In the process, she unknowingly sparks an animal uprising against humans.
It’s a movie with heart and a simple yet powerful message. The film isn’t necessarily about good versus bad, but about how even good people can do bad things. It’s about owning up to your mistakes and finding a place where you belong and can make a difference. The story really resonated with me, and I think a lot of people will relate to it.
The film only works because of the wonderful performances from the cast. Piper Curda stars as Mabel, and she truly makes you care about the character while helping us see the world through her eyes. Bobby Moynihan voices King George, a beaver who steals the show and is easily my favourite character.
Jon Hamm stars as the mayor who wants to destroy the animals’ habitat to build a highway, and his performance brings real complexity to the character. Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco, Eduardo Franco, Tow Law, and Melissa Villaseñor round out the rest of the cast nicely.
The animation looks amazing for the most part, although I don’t think Pixar has it completely nailed yet. I love the animal designs and the world they live in, and the film cleverly shifts its visual style depending on a character’s perception of the animals.
The one part of the movie that really bothered me is the number of plot holes. I know most kids probably won’t notice them, but it feels like a few important scenes were left on the cutting room floor. That said, the film still flows fairly well and it doesn’t take away from the overall story, although the pacing feels a little off at times.
I also really loved the movie’s soundtrack. I almost danced to a few of the songs. Overall, Hoppers is a great addition to the Pixar catalogue. The film genuinely surprised me, and I think it’s the best original Pixar movie since 2021’s Luca.
It’s always great when there’s a movie in cinemas that can entertain the whole family. I can definitely see myself loving this film even more over time or after a rewatch. Right now, faults and all, Hoppers is a strong animated film and might even be one of the most relevant animated movies of the last two years.
