The local "Thunbergs" fight to restore the Pond to its former glory. Excellent graphics, cute animals with well-developed personalities and jokes, attention to detail—it has everything we love about Pixar. BUT. The blunt, overtly presented "green" agenda turns the desire to finish into a chore. It needs to be more subtle

Hoppers is entertaining and easy to like, but it feels like Pixar operating comfortably rather than boldly. It has the imagination and craftsmanship you expect from the studio, yet it never quite reaches the emotional or thematic heights of their best work.

I was expecting a standard kids' movie, but Hoppers is a layered sci-fi animation. The story follows Mabel, who uses Dr. Samantha's "hopping" technology to inhabit a robot beaver and save her late grandmother's favorite pond from a mayor's highway project. Director Daniel Chong delivers the same heart seen in *We Bare Bears*. The friendship between Mabel and Jacob the beaver king is heartfelt, and the animation is top-notch. I found myself laughing out loud, especially at the scene with the shouting animals. However, the second half takes a complex turn. It shifts from an environmental theme to portraying the animals' rebellion as dangerous "anarchy," even giving the "evil" mayor a redemption arc (MILD SPOILER). While this shift might feel slightly compromised, the pacing and humor remain strong. Highly recommended for families and fans of smart, thematic animation.

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An oddly muddled message delivered in a perfectly serviceable but ultimately forgettable kid's movie. I wish I hadn't been spoiled on the moment when [spoiler]Mabel squishes the insect queen[/spoiler], as I think that would have gotten a really big laugh out of me had I not known it was coming.