“Hop”: The Movie


“Hop” probably made a profit before it ever hit the movie screens in April of 2011 via all the merchandising and TV commercial promotions. Instead of cashing in on Christmas, the producing-writing team of “Despicable Me” decided to cash in on Easter. Much of the story line reminded us of Tim Allen’s “The Santa Claus Movie”. (We highly recommend “Despicable Me” also for family fun).

“Hop” is geared for a younger audience but there is some adult humor involved so the parents will enjoy this holiday romp as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful animation, and the fact that the lead rabbit, E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand) is a teen who loves to play the drums - and play he does!! Our favorite scene in the movie is when E.B. has run away from home (Easter Island) to Hollywood to become a famous drummer instead of becoming the next Easter Bunny after his father (voiced by Hugh Laurie). E.B. accidentally walks into a recording studio filled with blind black blues musicians all wearing shades. As fate would have it, they were in need of a drummer at that very moment and E.B. rocks out.

In another fun section of the movie, E.B. has succeeded in getting a chance to perform for David Hasselhoff’s talent show. E.B.’s sidekick whom he has hooked up with, Fred O’Hare, a young man (played by James Marsden), who can’t seem to find his place in life, has told E.B. he cannot let on he can talk. But when E.B. is chosen by Hasselhoff as the winner, he can’t help but express himself verbally. Hasselhoff is anything but startled because as he says he has worked with a talking car.

The most fun part of the movie for children is probably the elementary school play scene where E.B. steals the show singing, with the help of Fred O’Hare the pop hit song “I Want Candy”.

There is drama in the movie as well. For instance, three Pink Beret rabbits are sent out to find the runaway E.B. To throw them off the track, Fred & E.B. make it look like E.B. has been cooked in a big boiling pot. And there is violence portrayed when one of the chicks who help make the Easter candy leads a revolt against the Easter Bunny and E.B. narrowly escapes serious injury.

The ending is a bit anti-climatic, as well as cheesy. Easter comes and Fred O’Hare is allowed to accompany E.B. on Easter Eve on a sleigh pulled by flying chicks. We couldn’t tell if a sequel is the works or not, but “Hop” is definitely a fun ride, especially for children and rabbit lovers.