HOPPERS is a vibrant yet deeply touching cinematic experience that blends light-hearted animation, family-friendly comedy and a poignant environmental message. Aimed at audiences of all ages, the film serves as a gentle reminder of our connection to the wild, wrapped in a story that is as imaginative as it is visually captivating.
At the heart of this tale is Mabel Tanaka, a young woman living in the fictional, bustling city of Beaverton. Mabel isn't your average city dweller; she possesses a profound, almost spiritual love for animals and a relentless drive to protect them at any cost. This passion was ignited during her childhood, spent under the wing of her grandmother—a dedicated nature conservationist. It was in the serene forest glade behind her grandmother’s home that Mabel learned the art of stillness, discovering how to temper her inner fire by immersing herself in the whispers of the trees.
However, the tranquility of her past is soon threatened by the march of "progress." Years after her grandmother’s passing, the ambitious Mayor of Beaverton, Jerry Generazzo, announces a cold, industrial plan to pave over the beloved glade to make way for a massive freeway. Undeterred, Mabel emerges as the glade's fiercest advocate, launching a spirited campaign to disrupt the Mayor’s blueprints and save the last vestige of her childhood sanctuary.
In her quest for a solution, Mabel turns to her mentor, the eccentric Dr Sam Fairfax. It is here that the film takes a turn into the fantastical. Mabel discovers that Fairfax has been conducting groundbreaking experiments, creating high-tech robotic animals she calls "Hoppers." These are not mere machines; Fairfax has perfected a way to "transfer" human consciousness, allowing a person to "hop" into the robotic animal and experience life through the eyes of another species.
In what feels like a comedic, animated spin on the high-stakes concept of the award-winning Avatar, we watch as Mabel navigates the forest as one of its inhabitants. The shift in perspective is both hilarious and eye-opening, serving as a clever narrative device to remind us of our duty to conserve nature to the best of our capabilities.
With its bright palette and simple yet effective storytelling, Hoppers is poised to be a massive hit among children. It distills complex themes of environmentalism into a digestible, fun-filled adventure that never feels like a lecture.
The film is further elevated by a stellar voice cast, featuring the talents of Piper Curda as the spirited Mabel, Bobby Cannavale as the blustering Mayor Jerry, and the legendary Jon Hamm as the brilliant Dr Fairfax. Together, they breathe life into a world that feels both fantastical and urgently relevant.
Hoppers is currently showing in all Malaysian cinemas. It is the perfect weekend treat for the whole family—a film that will leave you laughing, thinking and perhaps looking at the greenery in your own backyard with a little more wonder.