Director: Daniel Chong
Genre: Animation/
Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 104
minutes
Year:
2026
Starring: Piper Curda, Bobby Moyhnihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, Dave Franco,
Eduardo Franco, Melissa Villaseñor, Sam Richardson, Isiah Whitlock Jr.,
Description: A 19-year-old animal lover (Piper Curda) uses
technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover
mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination.
Review: With “Hoppers”, director Daniel Chong delivers one of the studio’s
funniest and most animated films in years. While recent films sometimes buckle
under the weight of heavy emotional themes, this production resolutely opts for
a fresh blend of absurdist humor and a classic ecological adventure.
When the grandmother of
19-year-old Mable, an impulsive anima rights activist, passes away, their
favorite nature reserve is threatened with destruction by the corrupt mayor
Jerry. He wants to build a highway. To stop the construction, Mabel enlists the
help of a secret experimental government project: she has her consciousness “hop”
into the body of an ultra-realistic robot beaver. She quickly infiltrates the
local beaver colony to join forces with the animals against the bulldozers.
As soon as Mabel takes on
the form of a beaver, the film shifts into high gear. “Hoppers” excels at
visual comedy. The animation style is cute, combined with lush landscapes that
proof Pixar is still technically at the very top.
Jon Hamm steals the show as
the vain, power-hungry mayor, flanked by Bobby Moynihan’s great voice-performance
as George the beaver. But it’s Piper Curda who carries the film: her portrayal
of Mabel as a hyperactive, steadfast teenager with a big heart makes the
character instantly memorable. I loved Mabel.
“Hoppers” is Pixar at its
best: a wild, inventive and funny adventure. It’s the successful return of the
studio’s roots, one that will effortlessly entertain the entire family.
Rating: 4/ 5
