Hoppers Review

Ridiculous premise. Absolute commitment.

The concept of Hoppers is so ridiculous, and it’s the sheer commitment to it that makes it work so well.

Synopsis

When scientists discover a way to transform human consciousness into robotic animals, Mabel uses the new technology to uncover mysteries of the animal world that are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

Good Points

• Fully committed without flinching

• Clever pacing

• Characters

• Mark Mothersbaugh’s score

• Detailed animation that rewards observation

Bad Points

• Third act gets messy

• Tonal shifts can be a little jarring in spots

The movie commits, and that makes all the difference.

I do like it when a film commits to something, even something ridiculous, and goes all in, and Hoppers does that, and that’s exactly what makes it work - it just doesn’t flinch once, and it’s treated with the upmost seriousness, where no-one acts like it’s actually absurd.

The pacing is also really good, as while the human world moves fast, the animal side slows everything down and gives you time to breath, aand it’s an odd kind of meditation disguised as a comedy, but I digged it a hell of a lot.

Characters

Mayor Jerry was a definite highlight for me, where his energy just glides along with his slimeballness (is that a word?), while King George stole my attention in the animal sequences - anxious, clumsy, constantly failing, and somehow lovable.

The rest of the supporting cast was surprisingly competent too, who all contribute to the rhythm and emotional weight of the story, and that helps give the absurd premise some structure.

It’s weird, but it has heart.

What really got me though was the way the movie made me feel the frustration of Mabel’s fight to save the swamp, I mean, I never expected it to make me feel stuff, but watching her hit wall after wall, I definitely recognized that exhausted energy from my own life at times.

Even when she’s in the beaver, the movie never winks you, and I laughed at some utterly ridiculous moments, and occasionally was in disbelief - but I kept caring.

The score is brilliant.

Mark Mothersbaugh’s music deserves a shout-out too, the type of music that never tells you how to feel, but it adds this gentle, playful lift that will probably make you tap your foot at times while humming along at others.

It gives the movie an energy that matches its oddball tone without being obvious or overbearing, and it’s one of the smartest, most subtle aspects of the whole film.

Visuals that make you notice things.

You also have to appreciate the attention to texture and environment in Hoppers - Fur, leaves, water - everything actually feels like it belongs in a living ecosystem., and you end up staring at small details you would usually ignore.

But, the third act does get a little messy - multiple storylines collide, and some emotional logic stretches thin - but that messiness doesn’t really ruin it at all, at least for me - in fact, I think it helped, as it never actually promises neatness, but it does committ fully to everything.

Final Thoughts

Hoppers was ridiculous, and at times outright dumb - but it’s also funny, heartfelt, sincere and clever.

Would watch again, and probably will.