Hoppers

Mabel (Piper Curda) tries life as a beaver in Hoppers (Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

In recent years, I have begun my reviews of new Pixar movies by writing about how great the studio used to be and how they have been struggling with mediocrity over the last half decade. I’ll spare you the repetitive analysis this time and skip right to saying that their latest, the sci-fi comedy Hoppers, is cute and likable, but doesn’t return us to the Pixar glory days. It is funny, with a nice high-concept. It is also pretty simplistic and doesn’t have enough depth to bring it to the next level. It feels more like something Illumination would release, just without all the pop-culture references. Still, there is something to be said for a charming story that can make the whole family laugh, even if Pixar used to stand for more than a decent diversion.

19-year-old Mabel is an activist, trying to preserve an animal habitat by fighting to stop the mayor from bulldozing it to build an expressway. With only 48 hours left for a beaver to move back into the glade to prevent its destruction, she stumbles upon a secret science experiment that transfers human consciousness into a lifelike animal robot. Now inhabiting a beaver, can Mabel protect the wildlife? Or will her interference throw the entire local animal kingdom into complete disarray?

Hoppers (93 minutes, plus mid/post credit scenes) sets up its complicated plot pretty quickly and then tosses Mabel right into the action. Though there is a lot going on, all of the developments are mostly used as a clothesline on which to hang wacky gags. And there is a lot of wackiness. In the best way. I suppose you could argue that there is a message somewhere in here about accepting other viewpoints so we can work together to make the world a better place. However, that seems to be a reach considering how little energy is put into it. The filmmakers don’t seem to care much if anyone in the audience leaves with a different perspective. They just seem to want people to have a good time with it. Many probably will.

The animals are adorable, their ecosystem is weird in a goofy way, the protagonist becomes a more understanding person during her journey and the villain is selfish, without being evil. It is light and fun. What it isn’t is inventive, original, transportive or particularly memorable. It is decent. I did laugh a bunch of times. Bobby Moynihan as George, the king of the mammals, is very funny. He is a beaver who wants everyone to be happy, regardless of species. His friendship with Mabel is genuinely sweet. Jon Hamm is also amusing as the oblivious, reputation-focused, mayor. His antagonistic rivalry with Mabel is a delightful premise that effectively establishes her motivation.

Perhaps my expectations are still too high. Hoppers is pleasantly enjoyable, yet I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. It is funny and charming, with likable characters and bright and silly animation. It is also just kind of there. It lacks the humanizing touch that a lot of Pixar used to have, no matter if the subjects were fish, monsters, toys or robots. I felt sort of removed from it, even as I laughed. It reminds me too much of modern Disney: playing it safe to try for good, instead of taking a big swing and aiming for great.

3¼ out of 5

Voice Cast:

Piper Curda as Mabel

Bobby Moynihan as King George

Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry Generazzo

Kathy Najimy as Dr. Sam

Dave Franco as Insect King

Directed by Daniel Chong

Screenplay by Jesse Andrews