Doctor Dolittle talked with the animals, becoming a great among veterinarians. Ace Ventura had the same skill, making him the greatest pet detective. Now, Mabel has found the same ability, as her consciousness “hops” in to save the animal kingdom.
Released on March 6, Disney’s animated movie Hoppers presents a new twist on “talking with the animals” theme when a young girl–Mabel–transfers her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver that lives among the animals. Through this new form of communication, this movie explores man’s desire to fit into the animal world, environmental conversation, and human-animal interaction.
“Mabel Beaver has the same passion for animals–but this time, she is one herself!” shares D23, the official Disney fan club site. “One glance in a reflective pond confirms that Mabel’s consciousness is inside an adorable, small, furry robot beaver. Appropriately disguised, she infiltrates all aspects of the animal world and is pumped at the thought of solving the glade’s problem with help from within. Forced to think on her tiny, webbed feet, Mabel Beaver quickly learns the ropes of her new world by gaining the trust of a strange animal leader, King George.”
Junior Samantha Phillips is anxious to watch the entire movie. “I think that the movie trailer was really funny when she stopped the bear from eating the beaver!” she exclaims. “And, I would watch the whole movie because I feel like I’d really like it. Just by watching the trailer, it made me laugh!”
One of the big draws for this movie is the cast itself. Voicing Mabel Tanaka is Piper Curda, while Bobby Moynihan becomes King George, the beaver monarch. Notably, Meryl Streep’s distinct voice is perfect as the Insect Queen, and equally recognizable is Jon Hamm as Mayor Jerry Generazzo. Although not related, Dave and Eduardo Franco take the characters of the Insect King and Loaf, respectively. Even Heidi Klum gets in on the action, as she is the voice of Diane in the German version of the movie.
“Even though I haven’t seen the movie yet,” Phillips adds, “the cast sounds amazing. I feel like it is a fun and interesting storyline.”
“There’s a beautiful message in this movie, but I don’t think it hits you over the head with it,” Moynihan (voice of King George) shares in an ABC interview. “It’s absolutely beautiful to watch, but if you watch it for the storyline itself and just for the heart, it’s equally as useful. It’s wonderful across the board.”
This includes the movie soundtrack song “Save the Day,” which is performed by Grammy winning artist SZA. “[It] pulls off the surprising trick of working as a big/bright Disney end-credits song while still sounding like SZA,” reports Stereogum.com. “She co-wrote the track with its two producers, Ben Lovett and past collaborator Rob Bisel, and it’s a hazily ornate inspirational number.”
I haven’t listened to SZA in awhile,” Phillips admits, “but I do think she was a good fit for the music!”
Rated PG, Hoppers is considered kid friendly, but parents should look out for some scary images, as several animals “comically” get eaten by other animals, and a caterpillar “gruesomely” sheds his skin. However, audiences can also expect a blend of heartfelt, relatable human characters mingling with a host of crazy, anthropomorphic animal characters.
“I would recommend the movie,” Phillips concludes, “because I think everyone needs a good laugh–and I thought it was funny when she said to the birds, ‘I can understand you’ and they just stared at her and continued talking!”
