Hoppers
85
Okay yes lets go, another great original story from Pixar and another reason why we don't need Toy Story 5, when this studio allows talented artists to be creative good things happen.
Of course great theming all around, us living in harmony with, while a frequently explored very unrealistic one, it's done very well in the Glade location, with an immersive set of wildlife, atmosphere, and colors, when Mabel and her grandma are sitting their you truly feel like your there with them, experiencing each little chirp and snap. While I don't think they handled Mabels overall character themes nearly as well at least it had logic to it that I didn't see coming, leaving very little questions unanswered. While clearly Disney's swing at DreamWorks' incredible Wild Robot, it has it's own identity with it's friendship instead of family message, and although it shares the theme of belonging for wildlife and humanity it doesn't feel an ounce of derivative.
Like I said wasn't a huge fan of Mabel, in my opinion ass of late Pixar's protagonist have not been the true stars not even close, almost everyone else around her is more likeable and funny, not to mention doesn't cause everything. And yes I understand she was doing the right thing throughout many times I questioned whether this was all for her to just rain in the nostalgia she has for the Glade. But don't get me wrong she's not terrible, just a very flawed character with not a complete resolution, therefore falls short of the sidecast.
That brings me to this great sidecast, second to only the affirmentioned Wild Robot the amount of super likeable side animals here is amazing, from mammals to fish they offer someone for everyone and none of them miss. I especially liked the Lizard which was super unexpected, as he was a meme I was prepared for an annoying comic relief but all of his moments are not only funny, but they are timed well and actually feel like they have a place, they nailed the comic relief. I also adored George of course, while kinda one note and a tool to develop Mabel that doesn't take away his personality and charm, he is everything this forest stood for and more.
Not sure how I feel about the premise of Hopping, is it interesting, sure, but it's not something I see being possible in any near future. Just like Avatar it doesn't particularly relate to us now.
Quickly I'll shed some major praise on the animation and score. Pixar is of course the king od 3D animation and I love that they are slightly stepping away from hyper-reaslism, but that doesn't mean I wanna see and K-Pop Demon Hunters shit either which I may have, just find you r own style damn. And a great score to pair, nothing spectacular but they were a few scenes where I was really into it, hint hint, the shark.
That reminds me major spoiler warning here but I wanna highlight probably the scene that stuck in my head most which was when the shark changed eyes back to wild animal. While this scene didn't mean much I don't think it should go unnoticed, it honestly sent a chill up my spine and whether it was the hint at horror or the reminder that we are still different it blew me away and stands at the top of the movie.
Overall a great movie and another redemption for Pixar making that 2 in a row now. While it didn't beat Wild Robot I actually wanna credit the climax for easily matching it, just didn't move me throughout the first half, but I digress, long live original stories Disney!
One thing I forgot to mention is I love how they finished the Mayor, the fact that they didn't treat him as an irredeemable coorporate asshole like so many do and just is so easy to me, they actually gave him not only a good resolution but a reason to.