Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
REVIEW Pixar showcases fresh imagination in animal adventure ‘Hoppers’
A scene from Pixar Animation Studios’ new animated film “Hoppers” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
Pixar Animation Studios returns with its lates“ original production, “Hoppers,” a breath of fresh air in the world of animation.
Directed by Daniel Chong, the new animated feature explores the intersection of animal adventure and human imagination through the eyes of a human using robot technology.
The story follows a young girl named Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), who accidently participates in a groundbreaking scientific experiment involving a technology known as “hopping,” which allows a human to control an animal body. Through this process, Mabel successfully transfers her consciousness into a highly realistic robotic beaver.
As she navigates the wild, she manages to enter the secret society of animals and starts to experience life from a completely different perspective. Her journey quickly transforms into an unexpected adventure filled with discovery as she learns to survive in the wilderness and communicate with the creatures around her.
A scene from Pixar Animation Studios’ new animated film “Hoppers” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
Mabel's actions as a dedicated nature lover and environmentalist may remind viewers of the 1994 Studio Ghibli masterpiece “Pom Poko,” directed by Isao Takahata.
In the Japanese animation, a group of raccoon dogs use a mystical technique called shape-shifting to protect their forest home from aggressive urban development by humans.
Similar to the characters in the Ghibli film, Mabel eventually finds herself fighting to protect the glade, an undisturbed natural area that she and her grandmother have cherished for years. This peaceful landscape faces an immediate threat from a new highway construction project, which forces Mabel to use her beaver identity to block the human development projects.
While the theme of protecting nature is common, “Hoppers” stands out thanks to the signature charm and humor that Pixar is known for. Instead of the slightly darker social messages found in “Pom Poko,” this film delivers a lighthearted, fast-paced story that quickly grabs the attention of the audience.
A scene from Pixar Animation Studios’ new animated film “Hoppers” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
The movie carries the same joyful spirit and creative brilliance found in previous masterpieces like “Ratatouille” (2007) and “WALL-E” (2008) by blending clever visual gags with a heartfelt message. The film expertly balances moments of pure laughter with deep emotional resonance, allowing viewers of all ages to become quickly immersed in this vibrant world.
The arrival of “Hoppers” serves as a timely reminder of the value of original filmmaking, as the industry becomes increasingly dominated by sequels and franchises.
While streaming platforms offer convenience, a high-quality original feature like this provides a strong incentive for audiences to return to the cinema. Indeed, Pixar continues to prove that fresh storytelling can best capture the public imagination when experienced on the big screen.
Pixar has recently enjoyed a series of massive successes in the Korean market with titles like “Elemental” (2023) and the “Inside Out” series, so there is anticipation over whether its new film can match the success of previous hits and attract the moviegoers here who have consistently supported Pixar’s stories.
“Hoppers” hits theaters in Korea on Wednesday.