By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY
A movie about the loony antics of the Easter Bunny could feel like the equivalent of consuming one too many Peeps.
Rhythm & Hues, Universal Studios
Fred (James Marsden) finds himself with the world's worst houseguest, E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), teen son of the Easter Bunny.
Rhythm & Hues, Universal Studios
Fred (James Marsden) finds himself with the world's worst houseguest, E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), teen son of the Easter Bunny.
But rather than being queasy-making, Hop will win audiences over with its goofy charm.
The movie's appeal is largely the result of the perfectly cast James Marsden as Fred, a lovable slacker who accidentally injures a floppy-eared rabbit who calls himself E.B. (perfectly voiced by Russell Brand).
Over on Easter Island, E.B had been expected to take over the elaborate Easter basket delivery service of his father, the aging Easter Bunny (Hugh Laurie). But Junior would rather avoid work and bang on his drums all day. Ready to pounce on the gig is Carlos (Hank Azaria), a power-mad chick and the elder Easter Bunny's right-hand "man" in the Easter candy factory. Frustrated that his dad won't acknowledge his musical ambitions, E.B. flees to Hollywood.
Fred has a similarly contentious relationship with his father (Gary Cole), who wants his pushing-30 son to get a job and move out of the family home. Through a silly series of events, Fred and E.B. end up sharing a luxurious SoCal mansion, and high jinks ensue.
It can't be easy playing opposite a computer-animated talking rabbit, but Marsden does it with aplomb, drawing on his boyish affability and physical comedy skills. The verbal banter between Brand's cheeky bunny and Marsden's Fred is funny-weird enough to be appreciated by adults, thanks to writers Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, also responsible for last year's clever Despicable Me.
Hop
* * * out of four
Stars: James Marsden, Gary Cole,
Elizabeth Perkins, David Hasselhoff,
Russell Brand (voice), Hugh Laurie
(voice), Hank Azaria (voice)
Director: Tim Hill
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG for some mild rude humor
Running time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Opens Friday nationwide
Director Tim Hill has taken a big step forward from his last film, 2007's dreadful Alvin and the Chipmunks, seamlessly blending live-action and animated characters. The adorable E.B. and his dad are bound to be embraced by those under 10.
The quest to save a beloved holiday is hardly an original idea, nor is the filial conflict put forth here. But the wisecracks are witty, with only occasional indulgence in mild bathroom humor. Mostly, the bunnies are cuddly-cute, and the chemistry between Marsden's wide-eyed Fred and Brand's endearing but irresponsible E.B. nudges the movie above its predictable plot. In lesser hands, the movie could have been quickly forgettable. But Marsden and Brand make for the perfect match of actor and zany character.
The humans in the film are an eclectic lot. Any movie that features the Blind Boys of Alabama jamming with a computer-generated rabbit gets points for originality. Fred's sister Sam (Kaley Cuoco) has some nice comic moments, as does his younger adopted sister, Alex (Tiffany Espensen). David Hasselhoff gamely mocks his image, and Chelsea Handler has a small, strange part as Fred's potential employer. Brand briefly appears in the flesh in a very funny cameo.
Everyone involved seems to take the plot's ridiculous absurdity in stride, even celebrate it. The idea of the loquacious, British-accented Easter Bunny who lives on a remote archaeologically significant island is simply accepted, as is the vibrantly colored candy-making operation run by legions of chicks. (Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and an Easter version of the North Pole elf enterprise.)
This hopped-up wackiness, augmented by clever pop-culture references, adds to gleefully deranged humor that will appeal to both adults and children.
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