Pixar’s Hoppers is a heartfelt film that manages to be one of the studio’s funniest entries while carrying a weighty environmental message. Targeted toward older elementary-age kids, teens, and their families, the film blends high-concept sci-fi with the kind of slapstick chaos that makes for a great theater experience.
The Story: “Infiltrating” the Wild
The film follows Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda), an impulsive animal lover desperate to stop the greedy Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm) from bulldozing a local glade to build a freeway. She discovers a top-secret “hopping” technology created by Dr. Sam (Kathy Najimy) that allows her to transfer her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver. Once undercover, Mabel must gain the trust of the upbeat Beaver King George (Bobby Moynihan) to lead an animal uprising.
I personally enjoyed the beginning of the film that focused on a young Mabel’s early attempts to return some classroom pets back to the wild. It showed her commitment to the environment no matter the personal cost and the relationship to her grandmother.
Why Kids and Fans Will Love It
- Absurdist Humor: The film is packed with “laugh-out-loud” moments, particularly the animal council scenes and a standout sequence involving a Great White Shark named Diane (Vanessa Bayer) being airlifted by birds.
- The “Hoppers” Premise: The idea of becoming an animal is inherently cool, and Pixar uses it to explore the animal kingdom in a “Mission Impossible” style spy thriller.
- Strong Characters: Mabel is a fierce, relatable protagonist whose activism is fueled by deep memories of her grandmother.
The “Parents’ Guide” to Hoppers
While the movie is rated PG, it leans into “horror-coded” comedy and intense action in the third act.
- Scare Factor: Be aware of a few “actually good jump scares” and a creepy sequence where a humanoid robot’s face mask is removed to reveal frightening internal parts. There is also a fast-spreading wildfire in the climax that may stress younger viewers.
- Emotional Weight: Like many Pixar films, it handles loss; Mabel is grieving her grandmother, which might spark intergenerational conversations at home.
- Environmental Stewardship: The film is a great entry point for talking about conservation and activism. It demonstrates the importance of finding common ground and compromise.
- Content Watch: Language is very mild (e.g., “jerk,” “loser,” “stupid”), and “animal death” is treated matter-of-factly—including a shocking but humorous moment where a butterfly is squashed.
The Verdict: For kids aged 7 and up, Hoppers is a delightful, high-energy ride. If you have very small or sensitive children, you might want to preview the final 30 minutes, which trade some of the “cute” for genuine intensity.
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