Hoppers is Disney Pixar’s newest animated adventure, directed by Daniel Chong, creator of the animated series ‘We Bare Bears‘. I can usually rely on Pixar to deliver heartfelt storytelling, distinct characters with vivid personalities, and strong emotions on a defining journey. Hoppers is no exception. Mabel, (voiced by Disney regular Piper Curda), is a lifelong animal lover on a mission to save a special glade that’s threatened by highway development. After transferring her consciousness into a robotic beaver using an experimental technology called Hoppers, Mabel teams up with displaced animals to stop the human interference destroying the glade. King George, (voiced by comedian Bobby Moynihan), is a beaver and the head mammal in his community of animals working cooperatively to survive after losing their habitat.
Together, Mabel and King George try to unite the animals and thwart her rival, Mayor Jerry (voiced by Jon Hamm), who’s as dedicated to his glade-destroying highway expansion project as Mabel is to stopping him. The plot of Hoppers feels familiar. It’s a little FernGully-esque in its focus on environmental preservation, and a lot Avatar-esque in its sci-fi elements. Hopper copies Avatar films’ tech that allows a human consciousness to transfer into a robotic body in order to assimilate into a different society. Like many Pixar films, Hoppers is not afraid of feelings or social commentary. Mabel is a passionate teen whose mission to save the glade- a precious place for her and the animals- is underpinned by her emotional connection to family and the peace she finds in nature.
There’s a thoughtful exploration of emotion, especially grief and purpose- something Pixar films do well. The story examines how a strong connection with nature can improve our individual and collective well-being. It might be weighted by many themes, most prominent of which are family, leadership, environmental stewardship, and friendship. But the film still feels relatable and contemporary. Forgiving the not entirely original premise, and yet another animated film with overly anthropomorphised animals, Hoppers charms with humor and sentimentality. Overall, it’s a fun watch offering plenty of action, the broad age appeal of a good family movie, and a good end-credit song, “Save The Day” by SZA.
In theaters March 6th, I rate it a (3/4) 🍿
