Sharing nostalgic feelings for ‘Hop’ as one of the only Easter themed films. PHOTO CREDIT: universalpictures.com
Christmas, Halloween and arguably Valentine’s Day are stacked when it comes to holiday-themed movies. When it comes to Easter, there is real quality over quantity that manifests in the movie “Hop.”
Hop is a magical movie experience that I get genuinely excited to rewatch when this time of year rolls around. The film tells the ‘tail’ of a young bunny named E.B. (short for Easter Bunny) who is supposed to take the role of the Easter Bunny with his father’s retirement fast approaching.
There is one small issue with this plan, and that is that E.B. does not want to continue his father’s legacy of delivering marshmallows and jellybeans to the children of the world, he wants to be the drummer in a rock band.
Lucky for E.B., he meets a new friend named Fred who is in search of a job himself, and what better way to bring out Fred’s childlike wonder than bringing his magical childhood dreams alive? The viewer is taken on an emotional roller-coaster with music, laughter, love and suspense as the bunny and his friend race against time to save the beloved holiday and make E.B.’s drumming dreams come true.
The candy factory where the countless streams of chocolate, marshmallow and various chick and bunny-shaped gummies are made is utter perfection. The beautiful colors are painted across the screen making the viewer want to jump right in. The animation of E.B. is absolutely adorable and who could forget Carlos, the irresistible dancing chick. I would be remiss if I did not mention what is without a doubt is when E.B. auditions for David Hasslehoff’s talent show. It is funny and sweet and the look on David’s stern face melting away is unmatched.
I would be a dishonest critic if I did not mention how this seems to be an unpopular opinion. My family, roommate and friends do not seem to see the wonderful masterpiece this movie is and that is simply an unfortunate loss for them.
Something that truly sets a film apart in the vast world of media is heart. The family ties that back both the bunnies and people give this film a reason to be watched.
This is a movie that brings back happy memories year after year of sleepovers with my elementary school best friend where we stayed up later than we should have and laughed our way into the morning. It brings back the smell of my favorite childhood movie theater where the popcorn was always slightly burnt and the doors struggled to stay open. It takes me back to a time when my biggest worries shifted from spelling quizzes to matching my friend’s outfit at school on Monday.
“Hop” is so much more than silly bunnies. It is a marker of simple times and what makes the holidays magical as a kid. Although some of that magic may dissipate as the years go by, I think that’s what movie magic is at the end of the day.