Graphic Provided by Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios
Written by Priscilia Iglesia
About Pixar
From its series of emotionally resonant decade of films, including the ‘Toy Story Trilogy”, “Monsters, Inc. Universe” and “The Incredibles,” and many other award-winning films, the subsidiary company under Disney, Pixar, could be making a comeback with its latest release, “Hoppers.” However, with nostalgia from generations comes expectations for the growing community of fans, and the latest original movies, such as “Elio” and “Elemental” barely reach a certified fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. Now the question is, will this exciting, award-winning release from Pixar reach a certified fresh score, or will it just be another film left on the shelf to collect dust?
Overview
The Plot of “Hoppers” follows the main protagonist, environmental college activist Mabel Tanaka, and her efforts to protect her grandmother’s beloved glade against Mayor Jerry’s recent city projects. One night, Mabel accidentally stumbles upon Dr. Samantha’s project, a robotic beaver capable of transferring human consciousness. Through a complete accident of transferring her own human consciousness into the beaver-like robot, Mabel decides to take this opportunity to explore what is beyond the glade. She discovers the truth about the animal kingdom.
Review
“Hoppers” is a refreshing and artistic Pixar film, which is a great way to teach younger audiences the importance of environmental preservation. One of the film’s biggest strengths is the creative design behind each character, each having their own role that not only creates a moving point but also a readable dynamic. The animals such as King George take the spotlight, even as animals, which creates empathy surrounding the topic of how Mother Nature is affected by the occurrence of new construction. Mayor Jerry’s character is also an enjoyable watch; his dynamic with Mable and the animals was fun to watch. Although it seems at the start of the movie that he is meant to play an antagonist, Pixar shows the audience that he just needed a shift in his perspective, realizing the importance of preserving wildlife. This also emphasizes the current ongoing events, highlighting the battle between urban development and the importance of protecting natural ecosystems.
In contrast, the movie also has its struggles. As a viewer, the film was paced intimidatingly fast and needed a bit more development in some areas. For example, the sudden lore on King George’s family line, it would be nice to get an animated flashback instead of touching on it lightly. Also, maybe more scenes of Mabel’s Grandma, which would even further connect Mabel’s love of wildlife, but also deepen the emphasis on the topic of grief and the healing process of losing a loved one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hoppers is a great addition to the Pixar and Disney universe, which blends a meaningful movie that is a mix of humor, adventure, and important real-world themes. Although the film has a few pacing issues, it is still able to deliver a meaningful message. Bringing the audience together in the fight to protect our environment, and also the importance of cooperation between all living beings.
