Hoppers

Currently only in Theaters

Runtime: 1 Hours 45 Minutes

Rated PG

“Trust is like a dam. When it springs an occasional leak, you patch it up and carry on.”

As a child, Mabel is constantly getting into trouble at school for trying to set classroom pets free—believing every animal deserves to live in the wild. Her love for animals only grows stronger during the summers she spends exploring the glades near her grandmother’s house.

Years later, now a college student, Mabel faces heartbreaking news: her beloved glades are slated for destruction to make way for a new highway. Determined to save the place that shaped her childhood, she turns to an experimental invention created by her professors—technology that can transport a human mind into a robotic animal body.

With time running out, Mabel transfers her mind into a robotic beaver and ventures into the wild, hoping to lure enough animals back to the glades to prove the land is still a thriving habitat. If the animals return, construction will be halted.

But life in the animal world is far more complicated—and dangerous—than she imagined. As Mabel struggles to fit in among the creatures of the forest, she soon uncovers a sinister plot designed to drive the animals away for good. To save the glades, she’ll have to learn what it truly means to be live in harmony, humans and nature together.

Themes:‍ ‍

Wildlife, school, freedom, natural habitat, captivity, family, anger, consciousness, the brain, nature, grandmothers, passion, evil plots by politicians, science, the food chain, beavers, pond rules, predators vs. prey, protecting the environment, being part of something bigger than yourself, helping but making things worse instead, using people, teamwork, friendship, and how believing everyone deep down is good.

Language:‍ ‍

Sucked - 1

Shut up is mentioned, and there is some minor name-calling, such as “milk drinker” and stupid.

Stuff to be aware of:‍ ‍“We’re all in this together.”

Scary - A goose honks and has sharp teeth inside, which gave me a quick shock.

A robot that looks like a man moves in unnatural ways, and when his face gets messed up he has to readjust his fake skin.

During the final act, a robot that looks like a man scurries on all fours and climbs a tree. His rubber face is torn off, revealing a skeletal, robot-like face. His voice also sounds a bit creepy.

Towards the end, there is a huge forest fire.

‍ ‍Sexual - A deer says to another one, “In the same den.” A male beaver says he isn’t looking for a mate and tells a female beaver he is too old for her.

A man is in the shower, and you can see his silhouette through the shower curtain. He is later seen in his undershirt and boxers.

‍ ‍Violence/Gore - Predators talk about eating other animals. A bear starts to eat a beaver, but it stops before the beaver is hurt. Some animals, including a fish and a worm, get eaten. Later, a butterfly is eaten by a frog.

Animals talk about “squishing” a human. A butterfly is squished, and the character that squishes the butterfly wipes her hands off on a wall. This results in a car crash, yeah, you’ve got to see it for it to make sense.

A shark tries to eat a human, but is unsuccessful. This makes for an intense chase scene in which the shark tells the human he will experience death.

Snakes ride on two women’s backs, making them do things for them, or they will bite them.

A beaver is hurt by a falling tree.

‍ ‍Other - A caterpillar spins his pupil, which is a bit funny and gross-looking. Birds poop on a car’s back window.

Overall:‍ ‍

Seeing It With Your Family

As far as sexual references, language, and agenda go, this was one of the more family-friendly movies I have reviewed in the last year. I will say that about halfway through the film, it gets a bit more intense, and some scenes (mentioned above) might scare very young viewers. The robot that looks like a man, the animals wanting to squish a human character, and a very evil caterpillar are a bit over the top in intensity, but likely won’t bother most older kids. The movie doesn’t really try to make jokes for adults that will go over kids’ heads, and there isn’t an in-your-face message trying to be sold. Even the main idea that humans and nature are part of one shared, interconnected ecosystem isn’t over the top, but is woven into the story.

What I Thought

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Disney animation was struggling to find its footing creatively, and Pixar rode in like a knight on a white horse to revive the medium. Films like Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Finding Nemo, WALL-E, and The Incredibles captivated millions, transporting both children and adults to imaginative worlds filled with unforgettable characters and heartfelt storytelling.

In recent years, however, Pixar seems to have lost a bit of that magic. A steady stream of sequels and films that feel less inspired has made some releases feel more like products than the groundbreaking storytelling the studio once delivered.

Because of that, I went into Hoppers with fairly low expectations. While it doesn’t reach the heights of Pixar’s classic era, it turned out to be an enjoyable and genuinely fun movie. I liked the characters, found the story engaging, and even laughed out loud a few times.

The central plot—saving woodland habitats from destruction—isn’t exactly new territory, but the film gives it a clever twist. By placing the protagonist inside a robotic animal body, the story delivers a bit of an Avatar-style spin that helps the concept feel fresh. The movie even leans into the comparison with a humorous joke about the technology resembling the tech from Avatar.

The standout character, and the one who absolutely deserves his own action figure, is King George. George is jovial, optimistic, and just anxious enough to make him seem like a pushover at first. Yet as the story unfolds, he becomes the emotional and moral center of the film, proving to be one of the most impactful characters in the story. I might even say more stories need a King George type of character.

While Hoppers may not feel like vintage Pixar, it’s still a solid, entertaining watch. If you’re looking for a fun movie to enjoy with your family, this one is definitely worth giving a shot.