Hop (film) explained

Director:Tim Hill
Screenplay:
Producer:
Starring:
Cinematography:Peter Lyons Collister
Editing:
  • Peter S. Elliot
  • Gregory Perler
Music:Christopher Lennertz
Distributor:Universal Pictures
Runtime:95 minutes[1]
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$63million
Gross:$188million[2]

Hop is a 2011 American live-action/animated Easter fantasy comedy film produced by Relativity Media and Illumination Entertainment, and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film was directed by Tim Hill and produced by Chris Meledandri and Michele Imperato Stabile, from a screenplay written by Brian Lynch and the writing team of Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, the latter two of whom also conceived the film's story. It stars James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins, David Hasselhoff, Chelsea Handler, and Hugh Laurie, with Tiffany Espensen, Dustin Ybarra, and Hugh Hefner in supporting roles. The film follows a young rabbit who would rather drum in a band than succeed his father as the Easter Bunny, and befriends a human slacker seeking a job.

Hop premiered at Universal Studios Hollywood on March 27, 2011, and was theatrically released in the United States on April 1. It received generally negative reviews from critics. During its theatrical run, the film earned $188million at the box office, against a budget of $63 million. To date, it is the only Illumination film that combines live-action photography with animation.

Plot

On Easter Island, a young rabbit named E.B. is intended to succeed his father as the Easter Bunny. Ignoring his father's orders, E.B. runs away to Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer. In Van Nuys, E.B. is hit by Fred O'Hare, an out-of-work, job-hopping slacker who was driving to his sister Sam's boss's house to house-sit after his parents forced him to move out. Feigning injury, E.B. persuades Fred to take him in as he recovers, but when E.B. causes trouble, Fred attempts to release him in the wilderness. However, E.B. persuades Fred to let him stay, claiming to be the Easter Bunny, whom Fred had witnessed delivering eggs as a child and became infatuated with Easter ever since.

Meanwhile, E.B.'s father sends his royal guards, the Pink Berets, to search for him and bring him back. In Hollywood, E.B. sees the Berets closing in on him and hides inside a business where Fred is having a job interview. E.B. enjoys a successful recording session with The Blind Boys of Alabama as their substitute drummer, but ruins Fred's job interview. In the process, E.B. gets a tip about a possible audition for David Hasselhoff, and after performing for him, he invites him to perform on his show.

Afterwards, Fred attends his adoptive younger sister Alex's school Easter pageant with E.B. hiding in a satchel. E.B., believing that the Pink Berets have found him due to the three bunny suit shadows on a wall and disgusted by Alex's awful rendition of "Peter Cottontail", dashes out and disrupts the show, forcing Fred to fake being a ventriloquist's act with E.B. as his dummy, and the two upstage the show singing, "I Want Candy". Both Fred's father Henry and Alex are angry about the upstaging, but Fred is inspired to be the Easter Bunny himself. Although skeptical, E.B. agrees to train him and finds that Fred has some genuine talent for it.

Meanwhile, the Easter Bunny's second-in-command Carlos the Chick plots a coup d'état against him to take over Easter. Carlos inspires the chicks to uprise the bunnies and begins training to become the "Easter Chick". The next morning, as E.B. is about to go to Hasselhoff's show, he notices the Pink Berets and prepares a decoy to fake his death, leaving Fred behind. The Berets see the decoy and, horrified that Fred has apparently killed E.B., capture him and take him to Easter Island. Fred is confronted by E.B.'s father and Carlos, who seizes control of the Easter factory, tying up E.B.'s father and placing him and Fred to be boiled alive. Meanwhile, E.B. starts to feel guilty for leaving Fred, and is convinced by Hasselhoff on his show to go back and help his friend.

E.B. races back to the factory, confronting Carlos, but is immobilized in gummy candy and tossed into the chocolate bunny carving line. E.B. survives by dodging the blades of the machine, while Fred eats through the black-licorice ropes, escaping with E.B's father. Carlos turns into a mutant chick-bunny hybrid due to the magic of the Egg of Destiny, and battles with E.B., defeating him easily due to his size. Carlos then tries to lead the Egg Sleigh out with his sidekick Phil directing, but E.B. improvises a drum session that drives Phil to uncontrollably dance to the beat and provide the wrong signals, causing the sleigh to crash and subdue Carlos. E.B. and his father reconcile, and he and Fred are crowned co-Easter bunnies. Back at home, Fred reconciles with his father and his family, and then takes off with E.B., with Carlos being forced to pull the Egg Sleigh.

In a post credits scene, Fred is seen delivering an Easter basket to a Chinese lady who appeared in a previous scene that used to chase E.B.'s father off in past years. When E.B. asked what the lady said, Fred explained in Mandarin that the reason why it is difficult to deliver Easter baskets in China is because of talking rabbits being intimidating to Chinese guests. E.B. is surprised that Fred can speak Chinese.

Cast

The cast in order of production notes listing:

Live-action cast actors

Voice cast actors

Production

Animation and character design

The animated characters were designed by Peter de Sève.[12] The CGI animation of the film was made by Los Angeles-based Rhythm & Hues Studios.[13]

Music

Hop (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Christopher Lennertz
Recorded:2010
Studio:Eastwood Scoring Stage, Warner Bros. Studios
Genre:Film score

Hop (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the complete soundtrack album for the film. The entire score was composed by award-winning composer Christopher Lennertz, who had previously composed the score for Alvin and the Chipmunks, another film directed by Tim Hill. The album was released on March 29, 2011, by Back Lot Music and Varèse Sarabande Records.

A 35th track, titled "The Pink Berets", is included in the soundtrack. Christopher Lennertz wrote the song with Ali Theodore, Bryan Spitzer, Jordan Yaeger, and Julian Michael Davis. The Deekompressors performed the song.

Release

Promotion and marketing

Universal teamed up with 92 major companies to promote Hop, including Holiday Inn, Krispy Kreme, Lindt, Kraft Foods, The Hershey Company, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Comcast, Kodak, Hallmark, HMV, and Burger King. A large range of licensed merchandise was released in connection with the film, including toys, stuffed animals, many sorts of candy, T-shirts, cookie decorating kits, baked goods and other products from Kraft Foods. Some items were available exclusively at Walmart stores.[14] The premiere of Hop took place at Universal Studios Hollywood on March 27, 2011.[15]

Video games

A Hop video game was released only for the Nintendo DS alongside the film.[16] [17] On March 29, 2011, a crossover game featuring Hop and Doodle Jump was released on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. All 25 levels being available after the film's release.[18] [19] As part of Doodle Jump in-app purchases with downloads, a new level can be selected through naming at Hop game over screen.[20]

Home media

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment released Hop on DVD and Blu-ray on March 23, 2012.[21] Physical copies include featurettes and games,[22] with a short film Phil's Dance Party.[23]

Reception

Box office

Hop earned $108.5million in the United States and Canada and $80.4million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $188.4million. It was the 39th-highest-grossing film of 2011.[24] To date, Hop is the lowest-grossing film released by Illumination.[25]

In the United States and Canada, Hop was released on April 1, 2011. It earned $11.5million on its first day. The film debuted earning $38million across 3,579 theaters.[26] Its second weekend earnings dropped by 42 percent[27] to $21.7million,[28] and followed by another $11.1million the third weekend.[29] Hop left theaters by August 19, 2011, making it the year's 25th-highest-grossing film.[30]

Critical response

Reviews for Hop were mostly negative upon release. To date, it is Illumination's lowest-reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.

The subplot involving Carlos the Easter Chick was considered to be insensitive to Mexican Americans by one reviewer.[31] [32] Peter Debruge of Variety called it "hilariously un-PC".[33] Philip French of The Guardian wrote: "It's a combination of the worst movies about trouble in Santa Claus's north pole toy factory and a version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lethally laced with sugar."[34] Also writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw gave it one star out of four and called it a "soulless and depressing film, with plasticky production design."[35]

Accolades

Hop was nominated in two categories at the 2011 Golden Trailer Awards: "Battle For Easter" (Cimarron Entertainment) for Best Animation/Family and "Carrot Quiz" (Mojo) for Best Animation/Family TV Spot.[36] Character animator Andrew Arnett was nominated for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Live Action Production at the 39th Annie Awards.[37] At the Golden Reel Awards 2011, the film received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore.[38] [39]

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hop (U). British Board of Film Classification. March 15, 2011. May 27, 2013.
  2. 1411704. Hop. July 1, 2021.
  3. Web site: Hop (2011) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180107202918/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4de828f5338f6 . January 7, 2018 . June 20, 2023 . British Film Institute.
  4. Web site: Puig . Claudia . March 31, 2011 . Bunnies, banter and a bunch of cute chicks enhance Hop . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171205131931/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2011-04-01-hop01_ST_N.htm . December 5, 2017 . June 20, 2023 . USA Today.
  5. Web site: Scott . A. O. . March 31, 2011 . Bunny Doesn't Want to Work, Just Wants to Bang the Drum All Day . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110405211501/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/movies/hop-with-russell-brand-and-hugh-laurie-review.html . April 5, 2011 . June 20, 2023 . The New York Times.
  6. Web site: Phipps . Keith . March 31, 2011 . Hop . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171205131928/https://www.avclub.com/hop-1798167778 . December 5, 2017 . June 20, 2023 . The A.V. Club.
  7. Web site: Hop (2011) . https://web.archive.org/web/20180107202918/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4de828f5338f6 . dead . January 7, 2018 . 2023-09-10 . BFI . en.
  8. Web site: Brew . Simon . March 28, 2011 . Hop review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930033433/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hop-review-2/ . September 30, 2022 . June 20, 2023 . .
  9. Web site: Ruiz . Marah . April 5, 2015 . An Easter treat with GMA's back to back movies . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230620021252/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/14523/an-easter-treat-with-gmas-back-to-back-movies/story . June 20, 2023 . June 20, 2023 . GMA Network.
  10. Web site: Robertson . Barbara . April 2011 . Easter Funny . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150911182203/https://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2011/Volume-34-Issue-4-April-2011-/Easter-Funny.aspx . September 11, 2015 . June 20, 2023 . Computer Graphics World.
  11. Web site: Honeycutt . Kirk . March 31, 2011 . Hop: Film Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220127142318/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hop-film-review-173575/ . January 27, 2022 . June 20, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. Web site: Phipps . Keith . March 31, 2011 . Hop . live . https://archive.today/20211124090032/https://www.avclub.com/hop-1798167778 . November 24, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . The A.V. Club.
  13. Web site: Liu . Ed . Toonzone Interviews Chris Meledandri on Despicable Me . ToonZone.net . December 18, 2010 . December 19, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101220024421/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/35879/toonzone-interviews-chris-meledandri-on-despicable-me. December 20, 2010 .
  14. Web site: Fleming . Mike . March 31, 2011 . Universal/Illumination Easter Bunny Film Hop Springs 92 Promo Partners . live . https://archive.today/20211124085001/https://deadline.com/2011/03/universalillumination-easter-bunny-film-hop-springs-92-promo-partners-118959/ . November 24, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  15. Web site: Exclusive Photos: Hop World Premiere at Universal Studios Hollywood . AssignmentX . March 30, 2011 . Schneider, Sue.
  16. Web site: March 9, 2011 . 505 Games Announces Hop: The Movie Game Coming Soon to Nintendo DS . live . https://archive.today/20211125000107/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/08/505-games-announces-hop-the-movie-game-coming-soon-to-nintendo-ds . November 25, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . IGN.
  17. Web site: Healy . Christopher . Hop: The Movie Game. limited . live . https://archive.today/20211125000121/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/hop-the-movie-game . November 25, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . Common Sense Media.
  18. Web site: Schramm . M. . March 16, 2011 . Doodle Jump Hop movie tie-in out now . live . https://archive.today/20211125000132/https://www.engadget.com/2011-03-16-doodle-jump-hop-movie-tie-in-out-now.html?guccounter=1 . November 25, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . Engadget.
  19. Web site: Nelson . Jared . March 16, 2011 . Movie Crossover Game Doodle Jump: Hop the Movie Launches for Free . live . https://archive.today/20211125000208/https://toucharcade.com/2011/03/16/doodle-jump-hop-the-movie-launches-for-free/ . November 25, 2021 . April 15, 2011 . TouchArcade.
  20. Web site: February 22, 2011 . Doodle Jump Introducing New Game Level as Part of Hop Tie-in Promotion . live . https://archive.today/20211125000203/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/doodle-jump-introducing-new-game-159901/ . November 25, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. Web site: Dietz . Jason . Kimbell . Keith . March 3, 2012 . DVD Release Calendar: March 2012 . live . https://archive.today/20211124090720/https://www.metacritic.com/feature/dvd-release-calendar-march-2012 . November 24, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . Metacritic.
  22. Web site: Shaffer . R.L. . March 22, 2012 . Hop Blu-ray Review . live . https://archive.today/20211124090834/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/22/hop-blu-ray-review . November 24, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . IGN.
  23. News: Start a New Holiday Tradition With the Family Comedy Hit From the Creators of Despicable Me. April 22, 2012. PR Newswire. January 9, 2012. Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
  24. Web site: 2011 Worldwide Box Office . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200716184857/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2011/ . July 16, 2020 . June 23, 2023 . Box Office Mojo.
  25. Web site: Illumination Entertainment Animated Movies Ranked. The Film Magazine. Wade. Joseph. November 17, 2020. May 11, 2022.
  26. Web site: Finke . Nikki . Nikki Finke . April 2, 2011 . Easter Bunny Hop Pops #1; Source Code Doesn't Flop; Insidious Sops Up Profit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924133705/https://deadline.com/2011/04/hop-pops-1-source-code-doesnt-flop-119630/ . September 24, 2021 . September 24, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  27. Web site: Finke . Nikki . Nikki Finke . April 9, 2011 . Hop Holds #1, Lame Arthur Limps In #2 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924222017/https://deadline.com/2011/04/first-box-office-hop-1-rest-in-flux-121284/ . September 24, 2021 . September 24, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  28. Web site: McClintock . Pamela . April 10, 2011 . Hop Beats Arthur at Weekend Box Office . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924221426/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hop-beats-arthur-at-weekend-176791/ . September 24, 2021 . September 24, 2021 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  29. Web site: McClintock . Pamela . April 17, 2011 . Rio Flies Into No. 1 at Box Office With Biggest Opening of 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924221510/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/weekend-box-office-rio-helps-179272/ . September 24, 2021 . September 24, 2021 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  30. Web site: Domestic Box Office For 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614085326/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2011/?grossesOption=totalGrosses . June 14, 2021 . June 23, 2023 . Box Office Mojo.
  31. Web site: Hop: So Racist It Hurts – John Shore Christian Blog. crosswalk.com. Shore. John.
  32. Web site: Review: Hop . 34th Street . April 1, 2011 . April 15, 2011 . Rubin . Michael . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110411003117/http://34st.com/2011/04/review-hop/ . April 11, 2011 .
  33. Web site: Debruge . Peter . March 31, 2011 . Hop . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131013120538/https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/hop-1117944935/ . October 13, 2013 . June 20, 2023 . Variety.
  34. Web site: Hop – review. French . Philip . May 13, 2024 . April 3, 2011 . December 31, 2017 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231105445/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/apr/03/hop-russell-brand-review . live.
  35. Web site: May 13, 2024 . Bradshaw . Peter . Hop – review . . March 31, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180121000147/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/mar/31/hop-film-review . January 21, 2018 . live.
  36. Web site: The 12th Annual Golden Trailer Award Nominees . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110711105748/http://www.goldentrailer.com/awards.gta12.php . July 11, 2011 . May 21, 2023 . Golden Trailer Awards.
  37. Web site: Giardina . Carolyn . February 4, 2012 . Rango Wins Annie Award for Best Animated Feature . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210923230205/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/annie-awards-rango-jennifer-yuh-nelson-287137/ . September 23, 2021 . May 21, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  38. Web site: January 20, 2012 . Sound Editors Give Super 8, War Horse, Rise Of Planet Of Apes Most Nominations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120122014430/http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/sound-editors-give-super-8-war-horse-rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-most-nominations/ . January 22, 2012 . May 21, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  39. Web site: Giardina . Carolyn . February 19, 2012 . Sound Editors Recognize Hugo, The Muppets, Super 8, Tintin, War Horse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211226224645/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sound-editors-awards-mpse-hugo-muppets-super-8-tintin-292642/ . December 26, 2021 . May 21, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter.

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