Pixar's 'Hoppers' Review: A Joyful, Action-Packed Adventure
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Pixar's latest film, 'Hoppers,' is a sweet and action-packed adventure that wears its influences on its sleeve. The story follows Mabel Tanaka, a spirited 19-year-old environmental activist who infiltrates the animal world in the body of a robotic beaver. With a talented voice cast, including Meryl Streep and Sam Richardson, 'Hoppers' is a fun and chaotic ride that manages to pull a few emotional strings too.
The film's supporting characters are rendered with specificity, care, and goofiness, making them memorable regardless of screen time. Mabel's focus on animals is evident from her childhood, where she tried to free pets in her elementary school, and as a young adult, she's the one who shows up on the mayor's lawn to debate.
As a beaver, Mabel forms a friendship with King George, an optimistic, 80s-music loving beaver who oversees a superdam for all the displaced wildlife. However, her gung-ho attitude gets her and her new friends in over their heads when she inadvertently incites a war. The stakes get rather real, but it's a PG-rated Pixar movie, so it's decidedly tamer.
Don't think too hard about how 'Hoppers' gets you from a little tale about a girl trying to save a patch of land to a truly helter-skelter third act involving a flying assassin shark, a Machiavellian insect prince, and more body swapping than 'Freakier Friday.' Just enjoy the adorable and slightly manic ride.
'Hoppers' is a big, joyful leap in the right direction for Pixar, and it's a great watch for families. The film is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for 'some scary images, mild language, and action/peril.' Running time: 105 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
