Hoppers review: A profound yet hilarious Disney Pixar animation that bats for a respectful human-nature relationship!

Helmed by Daniel Chong, Hoppers is a whimsical anthropomorphic adventure full of wild surprises!

I love talking animals in movies, but when those chubby, cuddly-looking creatures stand up to reclaim what is rightfully theirs, my admiration skyrockets tenfold! There’s something truly wholesome about watching these furry underdogs embark on an impossible mission and emerge victorious, while providing viewers, especially younger ones, with a healthy dose of humour, emotion and important social messages! Disney Pixar’s latest animated offering Hoppers delivers exactly that kind of saga, however, with the kind of wild twists and turns you never see coming! 

Directed by Daniel Chong, Hoppers features a feisty teenage environmental activist Mabel, voiced by Piper Curdo, who sets out on a quest to save a forest glade in her hometown, Beaverton, from destruction, to make space for a beltway project initiated by Mayor Jerry Generazzo (Jon Hamm). Desperate to save the ecological diversity of the land she holds dear to her heart, Mabel discovers her biology professor, Dr. Sam’s (Kathy Najimy) secret ethological programme that transfers human consciousness into robotic animals to understand the wildlife. The determined teen, without giving it a second thought, uses the technology to transform into a beaver, and the quirky-chaotic revolution that follows next forms the rest of the story. 

Also Read: Zootopia 2 Hindi review: A worthy sequel that delivers laughs, heart and a gentler nudge on socially relevant issues!

Hoppers derives a lot from Bambi, The Lion King or Zootopia as far as the themes, and the scale of spectacle is considered however, the Daniel Chong directorial takes the whimsicality a notch higher with a mind-bending sci-fi twist that makes the whole thing feel fresh and wildly unpredictable. Where Bambi offered us a heartbreaking loss-of-innocence in the forest, The Lion King presented a royal family drama, and Zootopia took on prejudice in an animal metropolis, Disney Pixar combines those vibes into one crazy environment conservation adventure through the adventures of Mabel. The film brims with a spirit of rebellion, humour and emotions right from the onset. When the mischievous children trouble animals kept at her elementary school, little Mabel smuggles them out of their little enclosures, hiding them in her bag to save the critters from their brutalities- an act that she indulges in often, only to get caught by her teachers every time. Regular complaints about her rage and non-compliance with school authorities compel her mother to drop her to her grandmother’s town- Beaverton, where the wise old lady introduces her to the grandiosity of nature and offers her advice that changes her perception of life for the better. Upon watching Mabel feel rather relaxed during their visits to the glade, Granny inspires her to channel her passion in the right direction- ‘Your anger will feel small when you realise you’re a part of something bigger’- a dialogue that becomes the central theme of the movie that stands for the celebration of diversity and peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. 

At its heart, Hoppers remains a classic Pixar outing with the most adorable creatures and vibrant visuals, who mobilise under the leadership of Mabel, now a robotic beaver to reclaim the land they once called home and save it from the capitalist Mayor, who only cares about his infrastructural projects with a complete disdain for the wildlife and ecological balance. However, things go topsy-turvy when the revolution turns violent, much to the disappointment of Mabel, who, despite her public differences with the Mayor, still wants a peaceful resolution of the issue. We are then introduced to the council of the animal kingdom who pledge themselves toward the cause of saving the glade- a gentle beaver King Gorge, (Bobby Moynihan), who believes in the inherent goodness of people, the arrogant Butterfly Queen (Meryl Streep) and her over ambitious son Titus (Dave Franco), Fish Queen(Ego Nwodim) and Bird King(Isiah Whitlock Jr), who have whims and fancies of their own. Watch out particularly for the entry sequences of these royalties, and their polarising takes on the conflict in the meeting, which constitute some of the most absurdly hilarious scenes in the film. The narrative is simple enough for kids to follow and adults to understand the depth of the consequences of their actions. 

Hoppers wants you to realise that you’re part of something enormously bigger than yourself or your immediate surroundings. It reminds you that nature has always known how to take care of the whole, sustaining every thread in the vast web of life on our planet, without an iota of ego or hurry. At the same time, it also asks a little thoughtfulness and consideration on our part that can help preserve the ecological balance that eventually serves everyone's interest. Watch out especially for the climax sequence that is hilarious yet profound enough to spark a renewed admiration for the wonders of nature. 

All in all, Hoppers makes for a cutesy watch that has something for every age group courtesy of its rich visuals, brilliant voice-over performances and a beautiful social message!

Disney Pixar's Hoppers will arrive in theatres on March 6!