Going undercover as a beaver, a young scientist joins their fight in Pixar’s eco-minded ‘Hoppers’

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In Pixar’s imaginative new series, “Hoppers,” there’s a simple rule in the animal world: if you’re about to be eaten, you should accept it. This is the first thing Mabel, a well-meaning college student whose consciousness is placed inside a robotic beaver, discovers. But, naturally, Mabel can’t help but interfere when she rescues another beaver named Loaf. This act of kindness gets her mixed up with a quirky group of animals and challenges her strict way of thinking.

Daniel Chong, the creator of Cartoon Network’s “We Bare Bears,” has delivered a surprisingly funny and energetic film with “Hoppers.” I recently worried that talking-animal animated movies were becoming stale, but Chong and writer Jesse Andrews prove that isn’t necessarily true. “Hoppers” is an environmental story about the importance of standing up for what you believe in, even when you’re alone.

“Hoppers” feels like a Pixar film, but with a unique perspective, as it’s directed by Chong, a creator who isn’t solely associated with the studio. This independence allows for bolder comedy and a playful tone, injecting a welcome sense of fun into Pixar’s storytelling while still delivering the heartfelt emotion that audiences have loved for decades.

Mabel finds herself inside a robotic beaver, a technology created by one of her teachers. She believes this could help her save a local forest from being destroyed by the ambitious mayor, Jerry. Mabel’s grandmother taught her to respect nature and understand her connection to the world around her. When a petition fails to stop the planned highway construction, Mabel takes matters into her own hands. Despite the scientists‘ concerns, she enters the artificial animal to discover why the forest creatures are fleeing their home, a move that gives Mayor Jerry free rein to proceed with the destruction.

Hollywood Inc.

Pixar’s sequels have been successful at the box office lately, but their original movies haven’t performed as well. They’re hoping their new film, “Hoppers,” will change that.

The show strikes a perfect balance between heartfelt moments and humor. Clever jokes, both visual and in the dialogue, are layered and witty. Unexpected moments – like a sudden death or the surprising appearance of a sea creature – are delightfully bizarre. This extends to later scenes where Mabel encounters genuinely creepy situations that playfully nod to horror films. These playful touches include a mischievous caterpillar (Dave Franco) and his mother, the Insect Queen, brilliantly voiced by Meryl Streep. Each animal group is led by its own ruler.

The majority of the film takes place in a beautiful forest clearing, and Pixar’s artists have created stunning visuals that feel both realistic and magical, emphasizing the wonder of the natural world. The way this ordinary location is transformed into something captivating demonstrates the power of animation to reimagine even the most familiar things. Adding to this, the beavers in “Hoppers” are designed to be incredibly cute. King George (voiced by Bobby Moynihan), Mabel’s guide, is particularly charming – he wears a tiny crown (its origin is a mystery!) and rules the forest animals with kindness.

What really got to me in this movie was the sweet friendship between Mabel and King George. He has no idea she’s not a mouse, which makes it even more touching. He’s convinced he can talk Jerry out of his plan, but Mabel’s a bit of a realist and doesn’t think Jerry will listen. Their different outlooks – his optimism versus her cynicism – created some really lovely tension. And honestly, Tom Lizard was a total scene-stealer! You might recognize him – he first went viral in a little extra scene after the credits of “Elio.” He’s a hilarious, expressive reptile and really adds to the fun.

Chong and his team added a small but powerful detail to show how character design can affect the story: the animals’ eyes change depending on who’s looking at them. When the animals talk to each other, their eyes are big and full of life. But when humans look at them, their eyes become small and dark. This visually represents how we often struggle to truly understand others.

While many promising animated films are still on the way, “Hoppers” stands out as a truly exceptional one so far this year. Especially now, when the ability to speak out is being challenged, the movie beautifully shows how a single person’s beliefs can inspire change and build stronger communities. It’s a thoughtful film that delivers its important message without being overly idealistic or lecturing the audience, cleverly using the story of a rodent to do so. You could even say it’s a real triumph.

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2026-03-07 00:31