HOP

HOP is an unusually funny children’s comedy. Its dialogue is sharp, its animated creatures are excellent, and its high energy keeps the story moving. It also has a strong moral core: both Fred and E.B. rebel against their fathers before learning to do the right thing. The movie affirms kindness, cleanliness, punctuality, and other virtues.

The disappointment is theological. Although Easter is in the title and at the center of the story, HOP never refers to Jesus Christ, the cross, the resurrection, sin, or salvation. It turns Easter into a holiday built around the Easter Bunny, eggs, baskets, and entertainment.

You can enjoy HOP as light family fun, then use the opportunity to explain what Easter really celebrates. The practical answer: see it for the comedy and moral lessons, but tell your children the true Easter story afterward.

E.B., the future Easter Bunny, escapes Easter Island because he dreams of becoming a rock drummer instead of taking over his father’s role. In Hollywood, he is hit by Fred O’Hare’s car and becomes an unexpected houseguest.

Fred is already struggling to leave home, find a job, and take responsibility for his life. As E.B. pursues a talent opportunity, both of them become tangled in trouble involving Fred’s family, a Beverly Hills mansion, and the future of Easter.

Four stars means HOP is a thoroughly entertaining family comedy. The writing is terrific, with laugh-out-loud dialogue and funny skits. The animated creatures are excellent, and James Marsden is very good as Fred. Even David Hasselhoff does a good job playing himself in his limited role.

The movie’s energy can flatten out in spots because it is almost too intensely funny. Still, the strong performances, lively animation, and clever writing make this one of the better children’s movies to come along in a long time.

HOP has a strong moral worldview with light redemptive elements. Fred and E.B. both rebel against their fathers, but eventually realize they should do the right thing. The film affirms obedience, responsibility, kindness, cleanliness, punctuality, and other virtues.

Its major weakness is spiritual. HOP has no spiritual elements and makes no reference to Jesus Christ or the resurrection. Easter is treated as a commercialized Easter Bunny holiday, with eggs and baskets standing in for the reason Christians celebrate. A viewer might try to see E.B. as an incarnational figure, but that connection is tenuous.

The film can still provide a useful opening for parents. After watching, explain that Easter celebrates Christ’s victory over sin and death: “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

HOP is fast, funny, well-written family entertainment with a strong moral center. It misses the heart of Easter, but your family can enjoy the movie and then share the true story of Jesus’ resurrection. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP.