Following Pixar’s worst opening in studio history with original film Elio, audiences were understandably unsure of Pixar’s next upcoming original project, Hoppers. This movie was inspired by nature documentaries in which robot animals are placed within an ecosystem. Hoppers was introduced as a story about a wildlife conservationist and wild child Mabel Tanaka, who, in an effort to preserve an important piece of land, inhabits a robotic beaver and infiltrates the ecosystem, uncovering the wondrous world of the swamp and the animals within.
However, despite hesitancy displayed by audiences, Hoppers has been a significant commercial and critical success, opening with $88 million globally and achieving the largest opening for an original animated film this decade. Moreover, it’s earned a shining review of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing all initial expectations. Audiences were touched by the movie’s environmental message, with many viewers citing the film as heartfelt, charming, and wholesome.
Mabel Tanaka, voiced by the ever-talented Piper Curda, with her strong, inspiring determination and dynamic stubbornness, is just one part of the film’s charm. With its unique animation style, talented voice actors, humorous comedy, and relatably flawed characters, it’s no wonder the film did so well. Especially when looking at the team responsible for such a glowing film, like director Daniel Chong, also known for creating We Bare Bears, who spent 6 years on the development of Hoppers. His inspirations like Avatar and Mission Impossible are prevalent throughout the movie, seen not only in the overarching message, but the humor weaved between sustainable messaging.
The movie was filled with detailed emotional arcs, ranging from sad, to tense, to heartwarming. For all the fear of what it could’ve been, Hoppers was undoubtedly a refreshing original story that felt long overdue.
