The ‘wild life’ gets a literal upgrade as Pixar trades traditional talking animals for a high-tech, mind-swapping adventure. Our JP give his take on the animated science fiction comedy film, “Hoppers,” with voices from Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Meryl Streep, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco.
Hoppers
Walt Disney Studios / Pixar
- Directed by Daniel Chong
- Screenplay by Jesse Andrews
- Story by Daniel Chong, Jesse Andrews
- Produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle
- Starring Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco
Official Synopsis:
In Disney and Pixar’s all-new animated comedy adventure “Hoppers,” animal lover Mabel (voice of Piper Curda) seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to ‘hop’ her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals. As she
uncovers mysteries in the animal world beyond anything she could have imagined, Mabel befriends charismatic beaver, King George (voice of Bobby Moynihan), and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face a major, imminent human-threat: smooth-talking local mayor Jerry Generazzo (voice of Jon Hamm). The all-star voice ensemble also features Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco and Meryl Streep. “Hoppers” is directed by Daniel Chong and produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle, with an original score by Mark Mothersbaugh.
J.P’s Take:
Pixar is the creative wellspring that brings to life vivid and imaginative animated features, with wacky characters and stories that touch the soul. “Hoppers” serves as another great source of inspiration, as it continues the animation studio’s reach for grounded storytelling and zany antics.
“Hoppers” is a sci-fi-based outing that feels more naturalistic than their other efforts and shines a spotlight on a steadfast young woman named Mabel Tanaka (voiced by Piper Curda; young Mabel voiced by Lila Liu), whose love for her grandmother and nature walk hand in hand.
For their 30th film, we’re privy to the life of young Mabel, who spends her visits with her grandmother, “Grandma Tanaka” (Karen Huie), at a nearby forest glade, where a colony of beavers and other animals congregate. The emotional weight of the story hits us almost immediately, as the years fade and Mabel’s grandmother passes away, and now their beloved forest stands to be eradicated by a corrupt mayor named Jerry Generazzo (Jon Hamm), who pushes a wicked agenda.
Mabel, now a young woman, is a rebel for a good cause and has the tenacity to go against such a major public figure. Through Mabel, you’ll realize that her cherished childhood moments with her grandmother hold a deeper significance than the actions of those who seek to undermine the beauty of nature. This story highlights the environmentalist perspective, illustrating how the pursuit of greed, fame, and wealth can negatively impact communities.
There is a sci-fi element as to how Mabel tackles the situation, as she goes out of her way to become one with nature in the most unconventional way. In her audacious attempt to save her beloved forest, she breaks into the construction zone to try to lure the beavers back into their natural habitat. She’s then apprehended by Mayor Generazzo and the demolition crew for impeding their efforts, and a standoff of words takes place. They argue like silly kids talking over one another, which is done for comical effect, as they have had run-ins with each other in the past.
Mabel then discovers something peculiar about one of the beavers, as it scurries away in another direction, and she follows it. What she finds is that her college professor, Dr. Samantha “Sam” Fairfax (Kathy Najimy), and her robotics colleagues, Connor (Sam Richardson) and Nisha (Aparna Nancherla), have been secretly conducting an experiment with robotic animals. This is the point when the tale takes on a metaphysical shift into a deeper realm, igniting Mabel’s courageous quest to restore the forest and unite her community once more.
The “Hoppers Program” finds Dr. Fairfax experimented with conscious transference into robotic avatars, so to speak, where they can experience life as a woodland creature. This, of course, gives Mabel the big idea to jump into one of these creatures, mainly a beaver, so that she can infiltrate the beaver kingdom and somehow convince the king to stand up and fight for their domain.
Oh, if animals could only talk in real life. Here in these moments, they do, when Mabel dons the robotic beaver avatar, which grants her the ability to communicate with the forest creatures. From there, you can see the quirky, comical high jinks coming a mile away. There is a moment, however, that takes a bit of a dark turn when the Mayor is about to give his grand speech on the day of the finalization of the new freeway. It involves him being kidnapped by Mabel and her colleagues and the forest animals harvesting his consciousness in order to foil his plan. When they do, it turns out to be an eerie robotic rendition of the mayor that moves and sounds like him, only boogeyman-like.
This little escapade wouldn’t be worthwhile if it weren’t for the energetic cast, who gave vibrant voice acting performances throughout. Aside from Piper Curda’s spirited role of Mabel, you will be surprised to hear the known vocals of Hollywood legend Meryl Streep as the Monarch Butterfly Queen; Dave Franco as Titus the Insect King; Bobby Moynihan as the Beaver King George; Ego Nwodim as the Fish Queen, and Melissa Villaseñor as Ellen, a menacing grumpy bear who’s always on the hunt for her next big meal.
Following up is another Hollywood legend, Isaiah Whitlock Jr., as the Monarch Goose Bird King; Nichole Sakura as the Reptile Queens (as she voices three of them); Vanessa Bayer as Diane, a great white shark assassin; Steve Purcell as the amphibious King, a frog monarch; Eduardo Franco as Loaf, the slow yet staunch sloth; Lori Allan as Mabel’s mother; Tom Law as Tom Lizard, who avoids confrontation; Joe Spano as an elderly Beavertonian; Eric Edelstein in various voices; and Demetri Martin voicing the flock of seagulls.
I must hand it to writer Jesse Andrews (who wrote the screenplays for the Pixar film “Luca” and wrote both the novel and the feature-film adaptation of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”) and co-writer / director Daniel Chong (the creator of Cartoon Network’s television series “We Bare Bears”) for their spirited efforts in pumping out another wild, empathetic, and environmentally conscious jaunt.
I guarantee you’ll have a good laugh with “Hoppers,” as well as some touching moments, some adventurous moments, and some moments of danger.
Official Site: Hoppers
