JEANNE’S REVIEW

An incredibly entertaining, warm-hearted film featuring a multi-talented voice cast, HOPPERS is Disney and Pixar’s latest in a long line of animated successes. Directed by Daniel Chong, who developed the story along with the screenwriter Jesse Andrews, the creative team has once again proven their dedication to memorable filmmaking.

Mabel Tanaka (voiced by Piper Curda) is a handful. She’s constantly trying to rescue animals --- and she’s constantly     in trouble. Only her grandmother (voiced by Karen Huie) seems to understand her and teaches Mabel to take care of the environment. They share a special place --- a peaceful glade in their hometown of Beaverton --- where they sit on a large boulder and watch the animals in their natural habitat.

When that glade becomes threatened by a new stretch of highway promised by the local mayor, Jerry Generazzo (voiced by Jon Hamm), in his reelection efforts, Mabel springs into action to save her precious space. Her college professor, Dr. Sam (voiced by Kathy Najimy), has a secret --- she and her colleagues can “hop” human consciousness into robotic animals enabling them to communicate with wildlife.

Mabel is only too eager to try this out --- “hopping” her mind into the body of a robotic beaver. This leads Mabel on the adventure of a lifetime as she navigates the forests in search of help to restore the glade. She meets and befriends King George (voiced by Bobby Moynihan), a cheerful beaver who is leader of the pond and king of all the mammals. Together, they unite all the animals, including the mighty Insect Queen (voiced by Meryl Streep), to stop Mayor Jerry and his destruction.

HOPPERS is truly one of the most enjoyable original animated films to come along in a while. Not only is the animation superb, the animals are downright adorable --- the camaraderie of the different species is a major lesson to be learned by children --- and adults.

King George is brought spectacularly to life by Moynihan, who revels in this character’s joie de vivre. And we musn’t forget the King’s “Pond Rules”: 1. Don’t be a stranger 2. When you gotta eat, eat 3. We’re all in this together, which all creatures are required to follow. As simple as these rules are, they are a reminder of what is actually important.

Even Mabel takes these rules to heart as she and George forge a lasting friendship. As fierce as Mabel can be when defending her glade and the animals who call it home, she is still a loving granddaughter who misses her grandma. Curda voices Mabel with all that fierceness --- and love. And she’s especially hilarious in her dealings with Mayor Jerry.

Jerry and Mabel have quite the adversarial relationship, with Hamm playing up Jerry’s faults with aplomb. He’s such a perfect choice to voice the reelection-obsessed mayor --- the “dream” choice by Chong, in fact.

HOPPERS is laugh-out-loud funny --- just all around great fun with a terrific original score by Mark Mothersbaugh and an original song “Save the Day” by SZA. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Diane, the shark, voiced by Vanessa Bayer, who is an absolute hoot. Not only will children love this experience --- adults will, as well. I cannot recommend HOPPERS enough!

Opinion: Strong See It Now!