Hoppers, the newest film from Disney and Pixar, may very well be the studio’s best effort in years. That’s not to say its recent output has been lacking. Turning Red, Inside Out 2, Soul, and Luca have all been bright spots over the past five years. Rather, this feels like a return to a time when Pixar consistently delivered excellent original films year after year.
The story follows Mabel, a fiercely passionate, animal-loving college student who accidentally discovers groundbreaking “Hoppers” technology that allows humans to transfer their consciousness into robot animals capable of communicating with real animals. She “hops” into a robot beaver to stop a selfish politician from tearing apart the dam near her grandmother’s home. What begins as an exciting scientific breakthrough and a cute animal adventure spirals into a larger battle over community, environmental preservation, and what working together truly means.
Balancing absurd, high-concept comedy with timely human themes, the film feels like a return to the classic Pixar formula that made audiences fall in love with the studio in the first place. Here are five reasons why Hoppers is Pixar’s best effort in years:
1. A Familiar but Original Tale
“This is like Avatar!” exclaims Mabel, our feisty protagonist, when she first learns about the “Hoppers” technology. “This is nothing like Avatar!” fires back its creator, Dr. Sam.
The film pokes fun at the comparison, but the similarities are not entirely off the mark. Environmental themes in animation are hardly new. Still, in an era dominated by adaptations and sequels, it’s refreshing to see an original Pixar film chart its own imaginative and entertaining course toward a message that may feel familiar but remains relevant and necessary.
2. A Creative Team with a Clear Point of View
The film is directed by We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong, whose series is known for its zany humor, quirky visual style, and occasional dips into absurdity. All of that sensibility is on full display in Hoppers, which features some of the most delightfully farcical sequences in any Pixar film to date.
Chong is joined by writer Jesse Andrews, who previously co-wrote Luca, another Pixar original. Where Luca found emotion and heart among sea creatures searching for their place in the world, Hoppers discovers it in woodland animals working together to protect the place they call home.
3. Laughs and Meaning for Audiences of All Ages
As mentioned earlier, Hoppers embraces absurdity in the best possible way, and it works equally well for children and adults. The comedic moments range from silly noises and exaggerated reactions to flashes of uncomfortable, shock-induced laughter more often associated with dark comedies.
It’s a delicate balancing act, but the film pulls it off. It never feels condescendingly “for kids,” nor does it veer so far into mature territory that younger audiences are left behind. What Hoppers ultimately has to say is simple enough for children to grasp, yet layered with deeper questions about empathy, humanity, and the world we share.
4. A Stellar Voice Cast and the Cutest Characters
An animated feature needs a strong voice cast to bring its characters to life, and Pixar rarely misses in this department.
Piper Curda voices Mabel with impressive range, shifting seamlessly from fierce determination as a human to tender warmth as a beaver. Jon Hamm is pitch-perfect as Mabel’s nemesis, the smarmy Mayor Jerry. Meanwhile, SNL alum Bobby Moynihan puts his lovable character voice to excellent use as the ruling mammal, King George.
Other notable voices include Dave Franco as a bratty insect and the legendary Meryl Streep as his domineering mother.
5. The Trademark Pixar Touch (Bring Tissues)
When people think of Pixar, it’s often the studio’s emotional moments that come to mind. The opening montage in Up. Bing Bong’s goodbye in Inside Out. The toys holding hands in Toy Story 3.
Hoppers has several scenes that rekindle those classic Pixar feelings. One early sequence, in which Mabel and her grandmother bond over shared interests, will resonate with anyone raised by their grandparents. Later, when King George makes a pivotal discovery, the film delivers an emotional gut punch that left the entire audience reacting in stunned silence.
Final Thoughts
The way Hoppers delivers both laughs and heartfelt moments is reminiscent of Pixar at its best. When the film fully embraces its absurd premise, it becomes something special. It’s bold, unpredictable, bizarre, and surprisingly profound. Through all the chaos, the story never loses sight of its emotional core.
In an era filled with sequels, Hoppers serves as a refreshing reminder that Pixar can still deliver heartfelt, imaginative, and memorable originals more than thirty years after Toy Story.
Hoppers is now showing in Philippine cinemas.
Photos courtesy of Pixar.