There have been numerous infestations of animation meets live actor films like, "Scooby Doo", "Marmaduke", "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and the worst of them all, "Garfield". All of the aforementioned secretions offer nothing but cheesy pointless stories and most of them were quite an embarrassment to watch. When I saw the trailer for "Hop" I wasn't performing any back-flips about this one either. In place of murdering classic animation that I grew up watching and still enjoy it to this day, "Hop" was a refreshing 360 degree turn as we are treated to a spontaneous story saturated with plenty of subliminal messages of morality topped with classically stylized fun that's filled with childish imagination, not that there's anything wrong with that. Fans who have adored those Rankin and B#$%$ animated puppetry might feel a bit of nostalgia due to the classic themes upgraded into the story. It surely comes alive in the long run, but in sporadic moments it falls a bit short.

The visual settings are sweeter than the jelly beans that our protagonist craps out of. The animation featured here was virtually believable and it gives you the impression that you're viewing an everyday regular movie only with talking animals and the iconic holiday character the Easter Bunny has a secluded hideout where he does his business.

Many reviewers have claimed that it is a combination of "Willy Wonka" starring in a holiday themed film and it actually work out splendidly. Where special events happen just once a year mastering their craft with the greatest of ease. Granted the characters are plagued with a lack of informative tidbits of the world surrounding them is just a sample of how perfect timing the comical factors are in "Hop".

There are some flaws depicted here, but in the thick of it, it's mostly stuff I won't lose any sleep over. Our protagonist E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand) changes the scenario around rapidly by conducting so caring we just feel like we generally care for the critter and the conflict he encounters.

When I walked into the theater, I was expecting a solidly built movie, which is a complex task for an animated movie for the young ones to enjoy. It's also covered on the holiday of Easter which is quite refreshing because there's very few holiday specials centering around the Easter holiday What other holiday will the film industry cover next? Could it possibly be St. Patrick's Day? Who knows? Practically I couldn't give a rat's #$%$ as long as the high quality of "Hop" is proved successful. If you want to see a spontaneous and substantial film that everyone can enjoy, I recommend you hop over to the video store and rent or purchase "Hop".

Hop was a film that I saw advertised earlier this week, and was immediately interested in seeing it. And I am glad I did, as for Easter this is a treat for the whole family with a lot to like. As a family movie, Hop is cute and funny entertainment for both kids and adults.

Is it quite perfect? Not quite. I personally would have liked Hop to have been longer by about three or four minutes, that way some of the human characters could have been developed a little more. Also, while the pace in general is fast and brisk, there is the odd occasion in the film where it could have slowed down a little to give the audience a little more room to breathe.

However, Hop is a perfect example of a film that ticks most of the right boxes when it comes to a family movie. In my mind, when it comes to part-animated/live-action comedies, Hop is one of the better ones, much better than the Garfield and Alvin and the Chipmunks movies anyway. The animation is great, with vibrant colours and bright backgrounds and the bunnies and chicks look absolutely adorable, and the live-action sequences with its striking locations and crisp editing are equally lovingly rendered.

Hop also benefits from a bright and breezy soundtrack, and a jaunty score by Chris Lennertz that fit with the tone of the film very well. The writing is funny and smart, people might argue there aren't enough pop-culture references to satisfy adults, maybe so but as an 18 year old female the lack of emphasis on pop-culture references didn't bother me as I have seen some animated films and shows where it goes overboard with references that are either dated or distract from the film completely. If anything, to be light with that kind of humour was a strength as Hop wasn't really about that. Also the running gag about Hugh Hefner and the altogether different kind of bunny didn't bother me at all, but I can see why some may find it questionable. The script has some funny and witty lines too, with Carlos having the best and most memorable.

I was also taken with the story. While not the most original story in the world, it is a polished and fun one that is fast-paced and entertaining throughout and because of its sophistication it appeals to adults as well as kids. The characters are all likable and engaging, more the animated characters than the live-action characters admittedly, EB is a zany and endearing protagonist especially. Tim Hill's direction is above serviceable, and the acting is well done. James Marsden manages to be likable without being bland, and Elizabeth Perkins is lovely to watch. Even seeing David Hasselhoff was fun. And there is also a lively vocal cast, headed by a very vivacious Russell Brand as EB and Hugh Laurie who is rock solid as always as his dad, while Hank Azaria is outstanding in a dual role particularly as Carlos.

All in all, cute and funny seasonal entertainment for the family. Recommended. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Fred O'Hare (James Marsden) would become the first Easter Bunny. On Rapa Nui Easter Island, E.B. is the heir to the position of Easter Bunny. Carlos is the jealous second-in-command chick. As a teenager, he dreams to be a rock drummer. He runs away to Hollywood on the eve of becoming the Easter Bunny. Henry (Gary Cole) and Bonnie O'Hare (Elizabeth Perkins) have decided to kick out their unemployed picky son Fred. Even their daughters Sam (Kaley Cuoco) and Alex are in on it. Sam gets him an interview with a videogaming company and housesit her boss' big mansion. Very reluctantly, Fred lets E.B. stay with him as the Easter Bunny sends out the Pink Berets to go after E.B.

I really don't like Marsden's character. He's almost 40 and looks like it. Yet he's playing a character more like a slacker twentysomething. Unless the character is actually suppose to be this bad, I would suggest somebody much more younger as a happy slacker. E.B. is only slightly better. The other problem is that the characters don't seem to be ready to be together. It's ridiculous that Fred can't get rid of E.B. He's a bloody rabbit. Their relationship ring false. The movie does get a little better later on as they go on their wacky adventure together. Only slightly better.