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Hoppers Review: New Pixar Movie Delivers a Hilarious Adventure
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Pixar has built its legacy on deceptively simple "what if?" ideas.
What if toys had feelings? What if a rat wanted to cook? With
Hoppers, the studio once again embraces a concept that sounds
absurd on paper and proves that execution is everything.
Scientists discover a way to transfer human consciousness into
robotic animals, and a fiercely determined teenager uses the
technology to fight for the creatures she loves. The result is a
wacky, heartfelt, surprisingly dark adventure that reminds you why
Pixar can make almost any premise work.

The film opens with Mabel as a child rescuing her classroom pets,
including a turtle named Crush, a playful nod to Finding Nemo. The
scene quickly establishes her lifelong pattern of defying authority
in defense of animals. Even at a young age, she is impulsive,
compassionate, and a little chaotic. That emotional foundation
deepens through her relationship with her grandmother, which gives
the story an immediate warmth. The bond between them becomes an
anchor that grounds the film's more outlandish ideas.

Now 19, Mabel is voiced with vibrant energy by Piper Curda. She
spends her days as an outspoken animal rights advocate, leading
protests against Mayor Jerry, who is campaigning for reelection on
a plan to build a freeway through a forest glade that serves as a
habitat for countless animals. Curda brings urgency and sincerity to
Mabel. She never feels preachy. Instead, she feels young and driven,
still figuring out how to channel her passion effectively.

Mayor Jerry, voiced by Jon Hamm, is one of the film's most
consistent comedic pleasures. Hamm leans into Jerry's vanity and
political ambition without turning him into a one-note villain. The
rivalry between Mabel and Jerry is very funny because they are
fundamentally opposed in worldview and temperament. Jerry is
polished and calculating. Mabel is scrappy and emotional. Their
confrontations crackle with sharp timing, and Hamm clearly enjoys
playing a character who is both ridiculous and self-assured.

The central sci-fi conceit inevitably invites comparisons to Avatar,
and the movie cleverly acknowledges that similarity with a quick
joke. It is a self-aware moment that diffuses the comparison while
signaling that the filmmakers understand how bold their premise is.
Instead of epic battles and sweeping mythologies, Hoppers focuses on
intimacy and perspective.

One of the smartest creative choices involves how the animals are
depicted depending on who is observing them. When we are seeing
events from the perspective of animals or from Mabel inside a
robotic beaver body, the animals have expressive Pixar eyes with
visible whites and defined pupils. They speak English and emote like
classic animated characters. However, when humans such as Mayor Jerry
observe them, their eyes appear dark and glossy, and they make
ordinary animal sounds. This visual distinction is funny and
reinforces the idea that empathy depends on understanding another
point of view.

The animation is gorgeous throughout. The forest glade is rendered
with textured bark, shimmering water, and dense greenery that feels
almost tangible. Yet the film never pursues hyperrealism at the
expense of personality. The animals remain stylized and expressive,
maintaining that engaging Pixar look. It is a beautiful movie that
knows realism is only valuable when it serves character and story.

When Mabel hops into the robotic beaver, she meets King George,
voiced by Bobby Moynihan. George provides a lot of comic relief, but
as the story unfolds, he reveals emotional depth. He carries a
backstory that adds weight to his role within the beaver community.
His vulnerability makes him more than just a sidekick. The friendship
between Mabel and George becomes the emotional center of the film.
There is something familiar about the dynamic because Mabel must
conceal her true identity and her human agenda. This kind of secret
has fueled many stories before. Even so, the connection between them
feels genuine. As Mabel grows closer to George, her mission becomes
complicated by real affection and loyalty. The tension is not only
about being exposed but about whether her cause justifies deceiving
someone who trusts her.

While the middle portion of the film follows recognizable beats, the
final act takes a bold tonal shift. As the freeway project advances
and the stakes escalate, the story leans into territory that feels
almost like a horror film for kids. The introduction of a more
sinister antagonist voiced by Dave Franco heightens that darkness.
The character's presence brings a sense of menace that is both
unsettling and darkly funny.

Franco sounds like he is having a blast in the recording booth. His
performance balances charm with an unhinged edge, making the
character unpredictable and genuinely threatening. The film uses
shadows, sound design, and exaggerated animation to create moments
that might surprise younger viewers. It is a daring move that pays
off because it raises the stakes in a way that feels earned rather
than gratuitous.

Ultimately, Hoppers succeeds because it builds to an emotional and
exhilarating finale. Like the best Pixar films, it understands that
spectacle means little without heart. The climax delivers excitement
and lands on a triumphant, emotional note. There is a conventional
structure to the story, and some character beats feel familiar. Yet
Pixar has always excelled at taking recognizable frameworks and
elevating them through craft and sincerity. This is the same studio
that once convinced audiences that a rat cooking in a French
restaurant could be profound. The magic lies not in the novelty of
the premise but in the emotional clarity of its execution.

Hoppers is strange, funny, visually stunning, and unexpectedly dark
in its final stretch. Most importantly, it has heart. It asks its
audience to consider how the world looks through someone else's eyes,
even if those eyes belong to a beaver. That perspective makes all the
difference.


SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon'sareview policyaexplains, a score of 8 equates to
"Great." While there are a few minor issues, this score means that
the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.



<https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/reviews/2102291-hoppers-review-a-hilariously-enjoyable-pixar-movie>





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