Hop

We learn a lot about the Easter Bunny early on in Hop, a lightweight and brightly colored kid's comedy with some decent imagination. For example, we learn that it's a title that's been passed down over the years to different bunnies. That's no surprise, but what did surprise me is how he gets around to deliver eggs and candy - Kind of a hi-tech sleigh that's pulled by tiny yellow chicks instead of reindeer. That's not his only means of transport - There are also apparently magical rabbit holes that allow him to transport himself anywhere in the world almost in an instant. Why he doesn't just rely on that, instead of the sleigh all the time, is a question I immediately found myself asking.

But kids won't bother asking such questions, and that's who this movie is made for. As for myself, I admired it enough for what it was; A cheerful and kind of charming little movie with some spirited performances and cute ideas. I certainly smiled more than I did watching last weekend's kid's film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. I actually started smiling right at the studio logo, which depicts the standard Universal logo, only the spinning Earth is now shaped like an Easter egg. After that, we're taken to the place where the Easter Bunny makes his home, which just happens to be Easter Island (makes sense). Here, the current Easter Bunny (voice by Hugh Laurie) is preparing to step down, and hopes that his son E.B. (voice by Russell Brand) will take his place. But E.B. is a bit of a slacker. And he's more interested in being a drummer in a rock band than delivering candy to children. He escapes the island through one of those magical rabbit holes, and heads for Hollywood, hoping to become famous. I laughed when E.B. started looking for a place to stay, and immediately heads for the Playboy Mansion, because he hears "sexy bunnies" live there, but gets turned away by Hugh Hefner himself in a cameo.

We cut away from E.B., and meet our lead human star, Fred O'Hare. (And yes, the pun in his last name is intentional.) He's played by James Marsden, who gives a low key, kind of goofy, but likable performance. Fred has problems of his own. He's in his 30s, but can't hold down a job, and is still living with his parents. His dad (Gary Cole) is losing his patience, but Fred's sympathetic sister Sam (Kaley Cuoco from TV's The Big Bang Theory) offers to help him out by letting him stay at her boss' house while he's away, and dog-sit. She even lines up a job interview for him at a video game company. While driving to the house that he'll be staying at for a while, he accidentally hits E.B. with his car. After Fred gets over the initial shock of discovering a talking rabbit, the two find out they have a lot in common, and become friends. Ultimately, Fred will help E.B. realize his dreams of becoming a rock star by hooking him up with that celebrity of celebrities, David Hasselhoff (who is running a televised talent competition called "The Hoff Knows Talent"). Not only that, but as they spend time together, Fred begins to realize that maybe he'd make a better Easter Bunny than E.B.

While all this is happening, there is a coup going on over at Easter Island. Since E.B. disappeared right before he was about to take the title of the Easter Bunny, there's a panic to find a replacement. One of the little chicks who works in the candy factory named Carlos (voice by Hank Azaria) sees this as his chance to grab power, and take revenge on the bunnies that he feels have been unfairly keeping him down. Kids might like the stuff with the chicks overthrowing the bunnies, but I was drawn more to the off beat and sweet relationship that develops between Fred and E.B. While the script doesn't really give them anything really funny to talk about, both Marsden and Brand (in a voice-only performance) have chemistry together. Marsden, in particular, has such a charming everyman quality to him in this film, it's hard not to be drawn to him.

Hop may not be a great film, but it's certainly made quite well, especially on a technical level. The movie flawlessly blends live actors with some very impressive CG animation provided by Illumination Entertainment (who did last year's Despicable Me). The movie is quite literally fun to look at. There's a lot of detail in the animation, the designs are cute, and the way they're integrated with the live actors is seamless. I especially liked the film's visual design, like when we get to see the Easter Bunny's candy factory for the first time - a marvel that would make even Willy Wonka jealous. Director Tim Hill (2007's Alvin and the Chipmunks) also is able to get spirited performances out of his entire cast, both live action and voice over. This is important, since the movie would fall apart if we didn't believe Fred was actually looking at and talking to this CG rabbit. Everybody seems to be having fun here, and it comes through in the film.

This is a movie that will definitely play better for the 12 and under crowd, but I don't think adults will mind it. There are some cute ideas, the movie's well made all around, and it's kind of fun in a lightweight way. Should there be a sequel, might I suggest E.B. finally makes it into a band, and discovers life on the road? I'd love to see the kind of groupies the little guy would wind up getting. Now that I think about it, such an idea would probably push the film out of the desired PG-rating.

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