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Hop (DVD)
by mummy2harry
E.B. is the teenage son of the Easter Bunny, and about to be granted the ultimate honour in the bunny world of becoming the Easter Bunny himself, following the retirement of his father. However, E.B. just wants to be a drummer, and decides he doesn't want the responsibility of being the Easter Bunny, and manages to escape Easter Island, ... ending up in Hollywood where he will pursue his dream of being a drummer. He ends up almost being run over by hapless Fred O'Hare who is jobless, a tad hopeless and sure he is dreaming about a talking rabbit living his home. Fred finds himself looking after E.B. after he discovers he can't get rid of him, and the two of them form an unlikely friendship. When it seems that his father and the other bunnies on Easter Island are in danger, it's up to Fred and E.B. to save the day, but will either of them be able to face up to their responsibilities and save Easter for everyone?!
Harry and I had the chance to see this on one of Vue cinema's KidsAM deals, meaning I only had to pay a very small price to see it. Being that it wasn't exactly the season for seeing it (mid summer when the film is an Easter film!), I was hoping Harry would enjoy it anyway, and luckily for me he did! It is another children's movie that combines real life actors with animated characters, as previously seen in the Alvin and the Chimpunks, and Yogi Bear movies, and although we'd enjoyed the former, the latter was pretty awful but Hop managed to better that disaster, and is firmly up there with Alvin and co. Despite the fact it's set at Easter, it is a film that can be enjoyed any time of year, so don't worry about watching it in the middle of September!
The character of E.B., who is the son of the Easter Bunny is the main animated character in the film. I felt the animation for him was really good, he was a really cute looking bunny, wearing normal clothes, and certainly appeals to the films younger viewers. He's voiced by Russell Brand, an actor who I have to say doesn't really do it for me at all, but I feel he did really well in this film. His voice suited the character and I felt he really brought E.B. to life. E.B. himself is fun, loves life and wants to be a drummer, something you don't expect of a rabbit and this is why he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps. But I enjoyed the change in the character when he realises his father is in danger, and it sends a good message to the movies younger viewers.
James Marsden is the human character in the film, Fred O'Hare. Fred is a grown up who has no idea what he wants to do with his life, so ends up house-sitting for his sister's rich boss. He meets E.B. by chance, and the pair strike up an unklikely friendship. Considering he is having to act to something that isn't actually in front of him, Marsden does a fantastic job interacting with the character of E.B., and at no point do you think he's acting to nothing, he does a great job, he's very animated and the friendship between Fred and E.B. is really genuine and sweet. I also have to mention the hilarious chick called Carlos who is determined to become the first Easter Chick against the odds, Hank Azaria voices him wonderfully and he's simply hilarious to listen to and watch!
The story itself isn't anything amazing - Easter Bunny wants his son to follow in his footsteps, son doesn't want to but when he realises his dad is in danger tries to save the day. There is a quite a bit of comedy throughout the film, mainly courtesy of Carlos, but Marsden does his best with the script too. I did like the 2 Pink Berets, action bunnies sent out to hunt down E.B., but they weirdly didn't have much dialogue but added a bit of drama whenever they appeared. The soundtrack was quite good, I remember it featuring a Taio Cruz song during a funny skit involving David Hasselfhoff so they've definitely tried to keep the movie modern. Overall I have to say this was a pleasant enough movie, it entertained Harry for the duration and he laughed along at the funny parts so the humour is clearly well aimed. The animation was lovely, the story a bit ridiculous with some adult references in there the kids won't get (the Playboy mansion!) but overall a watchable and sweet children's movie. It isn't the best by means, but it's a nice way to pass the time!
Directed by Tim Hill
Written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio
Certificate: U
Running Time: 95 minutes
Main Cast:
James Marsden ... Fred O'Hare
Russell Brand ... E.B. / Production Assistant (voice)
Kaley Cuoco ... Sam O'Hare
Hank Azaria ... Carlos / Phil (voice)
Gary Cole ... Henry O'Hare
Elizabeth Perkins .. Bonnie O'Hare
Hugh Laurie ... E.B.'s Dad (voice)
Tiffany Espensen ... Alex O'Hare
David Hasselhoff ... Himself
The DVD is released on 29th August 2011, and will sell for £9.97 (Amazon.co.uk, Aug. 2011). Blu-ray is available for £15.93, also released on 29th August 2011.
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Hop (DVD)
by Mephit
*** Film Only Review ***
So, I watched 'Hop' with the children and their friends. It was a Kids Am showing at the Vue cinema, where children's movies that have been out for a while are shown in the morning, at reduced prices: £1.25 per person. Bargain! They also do an offer with children's popcorn plus drink at £1.50, which ... makes buying it more affordable instead of the normal "you faint, I'll carry you out" prices. The film is due out on DVD at the end of August.
'Hop' is a story about the Easter Bunny, so a bit out of season, but anyway...
On Easter Island, EB (voiced by Russell Brand) is the reluctant heir to the Easter Bunnying business, whose father (voiced by Hugh Laurie) is trying to groom him for greatness. But EB wants to drop out and be a drummer, he doesn't want this high-pressured life where he feels all he can do is let his father down. He decides to do a bunk and heads to Hollywood.
In California, human Fred O'Hare (James Marsden) is a slacker whose family stage an intervention, demanding he gets a job, moves out and gets a life. This 'tough love' instigated by Fred's ever-disappointed dad (Gary Cole) is diluted a bit by his sister Sam (Kaley Cuoco) secretly hooking him up with somewhere to stay and a job interview.
On Fred's way to his temporary home, the two worlds literally collide as his bumper meets EB.
In the meantime, on Easter Island, EB's distraught dad sends out his royal guard of the Pink Berets to track down EB, while his chick assistant Carlos (voiced by Hank Azaria) schemes and dreams.
Will EB evade the Pink Berets? Will Carlos succeed in his dastardly plotting? And will Fred ever get through a job interview?
...
I found it quite a decent film. It's a combination of CGI and live action, with the bunnies and chicks beautifully created with computer effects - most excellent moving hair and feathers for maximum fluffiness and cuteness.
The storyline moved along quite well, with enough exciting and or funny moments to hold the children's interest for the most part. The younger children I took with me (5 & 6) grew somewhat restless mid-way through, and started looking around, fidgeting and even asking when it would be over. The film did manage to re-capture their attention, however, so all was not lost.
For myself, I'm a bit fed up of absent mothers trope in children's films: I mean, there was no sign of Mrs EB senior, and Bonnie O'Hare (Elizabeth Perkins) had minimal lines.
Kaley Cuoco (best known as Penny from the 'Big Bang Theory') did a nice turn as Fred's sister. She was feisty and capable, a good foil for Fred's flakiness. Gary Cole did the grumpy dad role well, while the voice-actors were all very good. It worked well. I particularly liked Russell Brand's brief live-action cameo.
Now, the Hoff (David Hasselhoff) basically plays himself, so he's not stretched too far(!): he does this tongue-in-cheek, self-referential stuff well. It's not as much fun as his appearance in the 2004 SpongeBob SquarePants movie, but it's still mildly amusing.
I wasn't entirely on board with some of the storyline of the film. I was seriously annoyed by Fred & EB's behaviour towards Fred's adopted sister (Tiffany Espensen). Events going wrong is one thing, but this part of the story felt more like a deliberate sabotage. It was just weird, none of the other members of the family got a comeuppance like that and I can't get to grips with the thinking behind it.
I was also peeved by the scene in which EB tries to gain access to the Playboy Mansion: it's a joky scene aimed squarely at the adults, of course, but it doesn't need to be there. Very little is added by it - it's not hilarious even for the grown-up audience and it's a joke I don't particularly want to have to explain to small children.
I liked the 3 Pink Beret bunnies, I liked how efficient & accurate they were with the blow-darts and it's nice to see female characters with the action role. Unfortunately, their characterisation was limited to one of the trio being asthmatic and a bit clumsy, otherwise they were interchangeable. Every time the others leapt into a pose, she would take the opportunity to have a blast of her inhaler, as a bit of comic relief. I thought it was good to have an asthmatic doing those active things and being very physical whereas often asthmatics are depicted in film/tv as sitting on the sidelines or as a kind of short-hand for nerdy. I liked that the three female bunnies were clearly very good at their job, but perplexed that they didn't have much, if any dialogue.
Some of the film seemed a bit familiar, and apparently it is from the makers of 'Despicable Me' (a much better film, in my opinion), so perhaps that was why. It was the scenes in the factory that were somewhat reminiscent of the Minions in Gru's lab.
All in all, 'Hop' provided a pleasant hour and a half's worth of entertainment. I wouldn't recommend it to buy, but certainly to borrow.
The Boy (6) says "It wasn't that funny, but it was very good and I'd like to see it again."
The Girl (11) says "The animation was really good and so was the storyline".
Product details for DVD (as available from Amazon):
"Actors: Russell Brand, James Marsden, Elizabeth Perkins, Hugh Laurie, Hank Azaria
Directors: Tim Hill
Format: PAL
Language English
Subtitles: English, Arabic
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 1
Classification: U
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
DVD Release Date: 29 Aug 2011
Run Time: 91 minutes"
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Rio (DVD)
by mummy2harry
Blu lives with his owner Linda in Minnesota, with a pretty domesticated life far away from his beginnings in Rio, where he was stolen by exotic bird smugglers until he was rescued by Linda. However, when she is approahced by a bird specialist who informs her that Blu is one of the last 2 blue macaws in the world and he wants Blu to meet ... the female macaw Jewel, Linda's world is turned upside down. Together with Blu and Tulio, she travels to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the pair go on the adventure of a lifetime. When he meets Jewel, Blu is unsure about what to do but when they are captured together by more smugglers intending to sell them on, Blu and Jewel find themselves fleeing for their lives. There's only one problem. Blu can't fly. How will Jewel and Blu be able to escape and keep blue macaws alive for good? With a little help from their exotic bird friends, the pair might just make it...
This is one children's film I have been dying to see for a long time, but I didn't want to spend a small fortune going to see it with Harry since it wasn't one he was especially interested in. Luckily for me, it was this week's KidsAM film at Vue cinemas so we got to see it for just £1.25 a ticket, bargain! The cinema was packed, despite it being the fifth showing this week in our town, so it's certainly a popular film and now I've seen it, I know why! It was an absolute joy to watch from start to finish, an explosion of colour, fun, music and happiness, and both Harry and I were riveted from the minute it began to when it ended. It seemed everyone came out with a smile on their face, and I know its one I'll be buying on DVD when its released, I can certainly see us enjoying it over and over! Everything was tied up nicely at the end, nothing left hanging, the story telling here certainly better than a few children's movies I have seen.
The animation on the film is stunning, and visually it's gorgeous to look at. The setting is Rio de Janiero in Brazil, and that allows the animators and director to go crazy with fun, colour and some amazing crowd scenery at the infamous Carneval. Not only are the human characters (Linda and Tulio) animated perfectly, but the birds are wonderfully done, and not forgetting Luiz the bulldog too! But everything is excellently done on the birds, from their feathers to their facial expressions. Many birds are represented in the film, and the scenes at the beginning in the jungle are visually stunning, such pure and vivid colours bringing each of them to life. Little things such as the sequins on character costumes at the Carneval showed the attention to detail with the animation and it was just a beautiful watch, certainly up with the likes of Disney Pixar films.
The story itself is one which works well for the duration of the film, and allows a lot of exciting things to happen to keep the attention of its young target audience. It really picks up once Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a young Brazilian boy Fernando on behalf of the bird smugglers. It allows the introduction of the evil cockatoo Nigel, who happens to be a former television star who hates exotic birds and tries to help his owner Marcel capture as many as he can. The two blue macaws escape and end up in the jungle, and are then on a mission to remove the chain linking them together, and to flee Nigel, who is hunting them down, for good. There's a lot of humour thrown in through their peril, with Blu's flightlessness being a particularly funny point in their escape. The use of Nigel as the baddie is fantastic, he's a hideously ugly bird but children loved his nastiness, especially when he enlists the help of some thieving Marmosets! The setting of Rio is just perfect too, allowing gorgeous jungle, bustling cities and poor suburbs to be shown throughout the movie.
The voice cast also did a really job with their roles, bringing to life their animal characters perfectly. Jesse Eisenberg is someone whose voice I didn't recognise in the movie, but now of course recognise him from The Social Network. He did a great job with Blu, his voice weirdly suited to the bird, and helped deliver a lot of Blu's line with humour. Anne Hathaway (again, didn't recognise her!) was the female macaw Jewel, and she was good but I can't say she was spectacular, I imagine any female actress would have done just as good a job. 2 actors I did like were Will. I. Am as a rapping Cardinal called Pedro, a role I certainly wouldn't have seen him doing before! Jamie Foxx was also great as Nico, Pedro's friend who is a yellow canary. They perform a great musical number together, and really were great to listen to performing. Leslie Mann voices Blu's human owner Linda, she does a good job putting across Linda's love for Blu but again, it's nothing overly special to be honest. George Lopez also takes a turn as Toucan Rafael, a bird who takes Blu and Jewel under his wing to help them escape psychotic Nigel, who is brilliantly voiced by Jermaine Clement.
The movie is full of fun and music, singing and peril, and its perfect entertainment for children. Harry absolutely loved it, proclaiming Jewel as his favourite character although mine had to be Blu! I loved the Carneval scenes, in the cinema atmosphere you're almost swept along with the party atmosphere, the banging music and dancing people. I also loved the "bird rave" halfway through, simply brilliant watching birds do the samba! There was nothing at all dislikeable about this, it's got a great soundtrack full of Brazilian-esque music that has your toes tapping, lots of characters for you to enjoy and an exciting story that has you on the edge of your seat until the end. Kids will love it, adults will certainly enjoy watching it... although if you're a sucker for kids films like I am, you'll probably love it too! I especially loved how delicately the relationship between Blu and Linda was handled at the beginning, it was wonderfully done and really allows the viewer to understand Linda's anguish when her beloved Blu goes missing. A wonderful children's animation that will soon be taking pride of place in our DVD collection for sure.
Written and Directed by Carlos Saldanha
Running Time: 96 minutes
Certificate: U
Main Cast:
Jesse Eisenberg ... Blu (voice)
Anne Hathaway ... Jewel (voice)
Jamie Foxx ... Nico (voice)
Will i Am ... Pedro (voice) (as will.i.am)
Rodrigo Santoro ... Tulio
Leslie Mann ... Linda (voice)
Jake T. Austin ... Fernando (voice)
Jemaine Clement ... Nigel (voice)
George Lopez ... Rafael (voice)
Tracy Morgan ... Luiz (voice)
The DVD is released on 24th October 2011, and is available from £12.99 (Amazon.co.uk). Blu-ray is available from £14.99.
Thank you for reading.
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