Hoppers (English) Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Piper Curda, Karen Huie, Jon Hamm, Meryl Streep
Director: Daniel Chong
Hoppers Movie Review Synopsis:
HOPPERS is the story of a girl going to insane lengths to save the environment. 19-year-old Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda) lives in Beavertown and is an ardent animal lover. She was close to her now-deceased grandmother (Karen Huie), who taught her to care for nature. A glade in her neighbourhood is her favourite place. It is inhabited by various animals and birds, particularly a colony of beavers. Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) decides to construct a beltway connecting the neighbourhood with the rest of the city. The flyover goes above the glade and hence, Jerry asks the authorities to destroy it. Mabel attempts to stop the destruction, but her plea falls on deaf ears as Jerry proves that there are no animals in the area. As a result, he argues that it's okay to revamp the area and construct the beltway. Time is running out and Mabel needs to prove that the area is a natural ecosystem. This is when she discovers that her professor in college, Dr Samantha, aka Sam (Kathy Najimy), has created a 'hopping' technology. It involves human minds hopping into lifelike robotic animal bodies and communicating with fellow animals. Mabel uses this invention to turn into a beaver and ventures into the jungle, much against the wishes of Dr Sam and her team. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Hoppers Movie Story Review:
Daniel Chong's story is the need of the hour. Jesse Andrews' screenplay raises important issues but ensures that there’s enough entertainment. The dialogues are hilarious and touching.
Daniel Chong's direction is superb. He peppers the narrative with enough humour, drama and emotional moments to keep the interest going. What's also praiseworthy is that though the film makes a larger point about the environment, it is done in Disney-style entertainment. The plot is unique and amusing and that further adds to the fun. The narrative is unexpected; one never knows what will happen next. The scenes of Mabel with her grandmother and with King George (Bobby Moynihan) are very touching. Another scene that stands out is Mabel as the Beaver trying to convince the animals to move to the glade. Things intensify in the second half, keeping viewers gripped, especially during the highway chase.
On the flipside, the narrative gets heavy in the second half as the makers add too many developments into the storyline. A new villain is introduced in the second half and though it adds to the madness, it also takes away the focus to an extent from the tiff between the student and the mayor. A scene involves murder and it might be too much for a Disney film, which is known for child-friendly content. Lastly, the lack of buzz and the exam period can affect the prospects of the film in India.
Hoppers Movie Review Performances:
Piper Curda is apt as the voice of the energetic animal lover and adds a lot of zing. Karen Huie and Meryl Streep (Insect King) are effective, too, though their voiceovers don’t last for long. Jon Hamm and Kathy Najimy are appropriate. Bobby Moynihan, Eduardo Franco (Loaf; beaver) and Melissa Villaseñor (Ellen; bear) are quite adorable. Dave Franco (Titus; insect king), Aparna Nancherla (Nisha) and Sam Richardson (Conner) also do well.
Hoppers movie music and other technical aspects:
Mark Mothersbaugh's music is well-woven into the narrative. Jeremy Lasky and Ian Megibben's cinematography is splendid. The animation matches global standards, which is expected from a Disney-Pixar flick. Axel Geddes' editing is slick.
Hoppers Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, HOPPERS is a well-intentioned, environment-focused entertainer that wins with its inventive premise, witty writing and a few moving moments. However, the second half turns heavy, and certain developments feel a bit too intense for a Disney-style family film. With limited buzz and the ongoing exam period further restricting its audience, the film has little chance at the Indian box office.