Movie Review | Hop

Hop is a film both contextually and inherently about family, notably the aspirations fathers — both human and bunny — have for their sons. The kind of film we as adults go to see mostly because we know the younger bunnies in our families want to see them.

Sometimes, the most we can hope for in cases like this is to find a shred of inspired filmmaking in the basket. There isn’t a whole lot to love about Hop but, on the other hand, there isn’t much to dislike. Hop will undoubtedly make your children giggle and awe given its crisp, cutesy animation and its main character, E.B., the brazen jellybean-excreting bunny many of us are now familiar with from the all-out Hop advertising blitz this past month.

Hop’s high point is undoubtedly the cheeky vocal performance given by Russell Brand who plays teenage bunny E.B. who is the heir apparent to the throne of Easter Bunny that belongs to his father, who is voiced by television's misanthropic Dr. Gregory House, Hugh Laurie.

E.B. however has other plans; the rigors and the pressures of being the Easter Bunny don’t give E.B. the time to pursue his true ambition, to become a successful drummer. E.B in turn escapes to Hollywood and sniffs, stumbles, and scurries about town until he finds himself at Hugh Hefner’s front gates because he heard that Hefner takes in bunnies. Adults, this scene is for you, its ok to laugh. After being rejected by Hefner, E.B. wanders until the car of Fred O’Hare hits him. O’Hare has his own father who is also concerned about his son’s seemingly aimless direction. O’Hare is played by actor James Marsden who turns in a real humdrum performance. Thankfully, E.B. is here to push him along. 

A frenetic frenzy ensues, some of which isn’t entirely a bore, including a rendition of the song “I Want Candy,” and a bizarre — albeit curious — David Hasselhoff cameo. Hop is innocuous and well intentioned enough and that’s why I refuse to completely clobber it and accept it for exactly what it is, a movie for children that I truly believe will be enjoyed by most of them. However at its core like many Easter bunnies I find Hop for the most part, to be hollow. 

Hop -- 2 out of 5 stars

Hop is rated PG and is currently playing at  -- 24 Patriot Place, Foxboro, MA - (800) 315-4000