Hoppers Review: Pixar Hops Back in the Right Direction
Image Courtesy of Disney/Pixar.
Back in March, I went to the cinema with my girlfriend to watch Hoppers. Now, you might be wondering why an almost 30-year-old man with no children willingly paid money to see a silly kids’ movie, but I’ll have you know this is serious professional work. Someone has to review these things, and unfortunately, that brave someone is me.
Hoppers was directed by Daniel Chong, best known as the creator of another beloved animal-centred story, We Bare Bears, so I already felt like the movie was in good hands. Not every recent Pixar release has connected with audiences, but the studio is still one of the best in the business, and I’m happy to say that Hoppers is another strong addition to its long-running catalogue.
Image Courtesy of Disney/Pixar.
The movie follows Mabel Tanaka, an animal-loving college student determined to protect the habitat near her home from being destroyed. Her love for nature was passed down by her grandmother, but things take a much stranger turn when Mabel transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver. Suddenly, she can communicate with the animals and blend in as one of their own, giving her a completely new perspective on the world she is trying to save.
Mabel is a genuinely likable character. She’s passionate, confident, and completely comfortable being herself, even when the movie forces her to reflect on some of her more impulsive decisions. The supporting cast is just as enjoyable, with Titus providing some of the funniest moments and King George becoming the emotional heart of the story. Characters like Loaf, Ellen, and Tom Lizard also help make the animal world feel lively without distracting from Mabel’s journey.
Image courtesy of Disney/Pixar.
As entertaining as the characters are, Hoppers really excels when exploring humanity’s relationship with nature. Most of us rarely stop to consider how our choices affect the world around us, whether it’s one person tossing garbage into a river or a corporation destroying an entire habitat to build another highway or shopping centre. The scale may be different, but the same lack of consideration is there.
The movie also understands that caring about the right thing does not automatically make every decision you make right. Mabel’s intentions are good, but her dishonesty and recklessness repeatedly make the conflict worse, while the animals quickly prove that they are capable of being just as selfish and destructive as the humans. By the end, Hoppers is less interested in choosing a side and more concerned with what happens when people become so convinced of their own righteousness that they stop considering the consequences.
Beyond its themes, Hoppers is simply a fun movie to watch. The animation is vibrant, the animal world is packed with personality, and the comedy is silly without feeling like it was made exclusively for children. The story moves at a good pace, and even when things become more chaotic, the characters keep it entertaining.
Hoppers may not rank among Pixar’s absolute best, but it is funny, heartfelt, and consistently enjoyable. Mabel is a great lead, the supporting cast is memorable, and the robotic beaver concept is used in plenty of creative ways. It is another good entry in Pixar’s catalogue and an easy recommendation for both children and adults who are willing to embrace how ridiculous it all is.
