Hop (2011)

Ever wonder what makes the Easter Bunny the right rabbit for the job? Beneath Easter Island, in a giant factory that manufactures all the world’s Easter candy, the over-the-hill homonymous hare is preparing to pass the mantle to his son, E.B. (Russell Brand). But E.B. has no interest in following in his dad’s lucky footsteps — his ambition is to be a drummer in a rock band. So to dodge his coming coronation, E.B. runs away to Los Angeles, where an unemployed slacker named Fred O’Hare (James Marsden in a role that primed him nicely for Sonic the Hedgehog) accidentally runs into him. Feigning injury, E.B. tricks Fred into giving him shelter. But back on Easter Island, a Peep®-shaped opponent (voiced by Hank Azaria) is preparing to make a move on his storied position. Heavy is the hollow chocolate head that wears the crown — will E.B. figure out how to juggle his dreams and his legacy in time to save Easter?

Hop is a fun, breezy, refreshingly un-maudlin live-action/animation blended film with a ton of celebrity voices, silly slapstick, cute visuals and in-jokes that your kids won’t get — but you will. It’s high drama but low stakes, and it’s nice to see the “next generation has to clean up their act and save the day” plot extended beyond Christmas for once. So take that Easter bonnet out of mothballs, explain to your children what a bonnet is, and come on down to Tampa Theatre for a special Easter afternoon screening of Hop!