The animation/live-action "Hop" — from the producing-writing team behind last year's "Despicable Me," and director Tim Hill, of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" fame — is that very entry, and it's almost unashamedly middle of the road about its intentions. Its narrative is lifted from Christmas movies, stop-motion specials and Roald Dahl; its CGI renderings are no better or worse than last month's or next month's animation family outing. Its vocal talent — led by Russell Brand and Hugh Laurie — is suitably star-powered.
The only thing missing is any real wonder, imagination or comic verve. Brand voices E.B., teenage rabbit heir to the noble mantle of Easter Bunny, currently held by his tradition-bound father (Laurie). But E.B.'s dream is to be a rock drummer, not run the massive, Wonka-esque candy factory manned by worker chicks deep below Easter Island — you got it, with the statues — so the Easter Bunny can dispense treat-filled baskets to children everywhere once a year. (Just to keep the yuletide inspirations upfront, the gig even involves a sleigh-like transport led by floating chicks.)
The live-action part comes when E.B. flees destiny — through, what else?, a rabbit hole — for Hollywood, running into Fred (James Marsden), a jobless slacker house-sitting a mansion. Their destinies intertwine when E.B. tries out for a TV talent show, and Fred believes he can become the Easter Bunny.
The Pink Berets, a trio of rappelling, dart-blowing bunny guards dispatched to retrieve E.B., are an overused sight gag, since they never become actual characters. Chelsea Handler is wasted — no, not on vodka — in a humorless cameo as a prospective employer of Fred's. And why is it that the piece's nominal villain is a coup-organizing Speedy Gonzales-accented factory chick (voiced by Hank Azaria), while his boss rabbit speaks like a posh Brit? Or is that a class-race over-read?
"Hop" doesn't mean to offend. It's basically an Easter egg hunt where the organizers aren't interested in a difficult or surprising task for participants, who in this case will be mostly an under-10 audience ready to pester parents before, during and after the movie for candy.
Director: Tim Hill
Writers: Cinco Paul (screenplay), Ken Daurio (screenplay)
Cast: James Marsden ... Fred O'Hare
Russell Brand ... E.B. (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)
Source: LosAngelesTime