Hop Blu-ray Review

Universal’s 1080p VC-1 Blu-ray release of "Hop" offers a visually appealing presentation with detailed high definition renderings. Colors are bright and enjoyable, though certain scenes exhibit reserved saturation, leading to a noticeable, less eye-catching appearance. Flesh tones are naturally rendered, presenting discernible complexion details among the cast. Despite some light digital noise, which remains non-distracting, the black levels and contrast are stable, with ample depth and perceptible delineation.

The video transfer does experience minor drawbacks, particularly in scenes integrating CG with live action, where it struggles with intermittent noise and grain. This noise sometimes becomes thick and blocky but remains a mild distraction rather than a debilitating issue. The fine detail in close-ups, such as animated rabbit fur and chick feathers, is exceptional, showcasing refined textures without aliasing. However, less detailed scenes exhibit flatness and occasional artifacting or banding due to minor compression inadequacies.

Technical aspects like fine details in the Easter Island bunker scenes stand out, rendering millions of jelly beans flowing without artifacting. This clarity highlights the transfer’s strengths, with cleanly rendered backgrounds even amidst dynamic animations. While the presentation isn’t flawless, occasional instances of noise or soft textures don’t significantly detract from the overall visual quality. Both the animated and live-action elements blend well, maintaining a lively and engaging viewing experience fitting the film’s tone.

Universal's Blu-ray presentation of "Hop" boasts a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, delivering an engaging and dynamic auditory experience. The mix excels in rendering dialogue with appreciable tonal variation and precision, ensuring that voices remain clean, clear, and well-prioritized throughout. However, there are moments where character voices, particularly those of the animated characters interacting with live-action elements, may feel slightly detached from the overall soundscape. Despite this minor issue, the ambient sounds are impeccably captured, adding depth and authenticity to various settings, from the bustling Easter Island bunker to busy office environments.

Moreover, the LFE channel impressively supports numerous scenes, bringing a palpable depth to the whirring candy machines, flying sleigh engines, and the driving beats of E.B.'s drum solos. Rear speaker activity is handled with notable accuracy, although directional effects may not always match the hyperactive visuals' aggressiveness. Nevertheless, the overall immersive quality of the soundtrack is undeniable, frequently driven by the film's vibrant music, which commands the soundfield with stirring clarity. The surround channels are actively employed, providing seamless front/rear channel pans and music-related ambience that create a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.

Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio presentation on this Blu-ray deserves recognition for its clarity, dynamic range, and immersive qualities. While some aspects of the mix could benefit from additional fine-tuning, it remains an excellent accompaniment to the film’s visual elements. With LFE support that elevates key moments and rear speaker precision that enhances the film's spatial immersion, "Hop" on Blu-ray offers a top-notch audio experience that is sure to please both young viewers and discerning audiophiles alike.

The Blu-ray extras for "Hop" offer a delightful range of content that will engage both children and adults, providing entertaining insights into the film's production and characters. Featuring a mixture of character-centric featurettes and interactive games, these extras cater to various interests. The high-definition featurettes span from Russell Brand’s humorous behind-the-scenes moments to short segments delving into the making of the movie. Interactive games such as "Drum Along" and "E.B.'s Candy Challenge" add a playful layer to the viewing experience. While some extras are brief and promotional in nature, they collectively enhance the overall package, making it a must-explore for any "Hop" fan.

Extras included in this disc:

• Phil's Dance Party: A mini-movie where Carlos and Phil showcase their dance moves.
• The World of Hop: Six brief segments exploring characters and locations.
• All Access with Cody Simpson: Cody Simpson discusses the theme song.
• Russell Brand: Being the Bunny: Brand reflects on his role as E.B.
• Russell Brand’s Kid Crack Ups: Brand interviews kids about the film.
• Carlos on Carlos: Carlos covers the film’s premiere.
• Emotion in Motion: Insight from Phil's choreographer Ken Daurio.
• Post Coup Commentary: Carlos and Phil recount the plot.
• Games: Includes Drum Along, E.B.'s Candy Challenge, Pink Beret Skill Tester.
• U-Control: On-screen features like Hop Tweets and Pink Beret Tracker.
• pocket BLU: Mobile device integration.
• D-Box Motion Code enabled: Motion-based experience.
• Bonus DVD: Additional viewing option.
• Ultraviolet Digital Copy: Digital access.

"Hop," directed by Tim Hill, is a blend of live-action and CGI animation that follows E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), a young rabbit who is next in line to become the Easter Bunny but flees to Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming a rock drummer. Along the way, he encounters Fred O'Hare (James Marsden), a directionless adult still living with his parents. Although Marsden tries his best, his comedic efforts fall flat in a film that never truly capitalizes on the potential of its premise or its talented cast, including Hugh Laurie as E.B.'s father and Hank Azaria in dual roles as Carlos and Phil, the ambitious chicks planning an Easter coup.

The storyline is predictable, and the humor stale, resorting to familiar tropes without innovation. The magic of classics like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is notably absent; instead, "Hop" offers a superficial and derivative take reminiscent of "The Santa Clause" and "Madagascar." The film's lack of originality is further underscored by its setting—Easter Island—chosen more for its nominal association with the holiday than for any deeper imaginative purpose. Although Russell Brand, Hugh Laurie, and Hank Azaria provide some standout voice performances, their talents are largely underutilized against a script that fails to deliver consistently engaging or funny moments.

Younger audiences might enjoy the colorful CGI animation and the slapstick antics of E.B., as well as the scenes featuring cute yellow chicks. However, parents and older viewers will likely find the film lacking in substance and creativity. While it may serve as an adequate distraction during the Easter season, "Hop" doesn't leave a lasting impression and feels more like a missed opportunity within the family-friendly genre. The film's marketing cleverly ties it to Easter, but beyond seasonal appeal, it remains a mediocre effort from Illumination Entertainment.

'Hop,' produced by Illumination Entertainment, is a visually appealing but ultimately shallow addition to family entertainment. The storyline, reminiscent of a hollow chocolate bunny, may initially captivate young audiences with its vibrant and festive animation but lacks the depth to engage more discerning viewers. While its bright and colorful aesthetic might provide some visual charm, the movie struggles to deliver genuinely engaging content, relying heavily on superficial humor and clichéd plotlines. The Blu-ray release partially redeems itself with a decent audiovisual presentation, featuring a solid DTS-HD Master Audio track. However, inconsistencies in video quality and an underwhelming supplemental package limit the overall experience.

For parents considering 'Hop' as an Easter treat for their children, it’s important to manage expectations. The film thrives on basic, juvenile humor, with scenes like a rabbit pooping jelly beans eliciting giggles from younger viewers. However, this reliance on simplistic gags underscores a broader issue—an evident lack of creativity and depth in the screenplay. The blend of live-action and animation seems to merely serve as a vehicle for repetitive, shallow humor rather than contributing to a compelling narrative or character development. As opposed to enriching children’s movie libraries with well-rounded films, 'Hop' falls short, offering minimal substance beneath its colorful exterior.

In conclusion, 'Hop' provides intermittent amusement for children but leaves much to be desired for adult viewers or those seeking a meaningful family film experience. Universal's Blu-ray release mirrors these sentiments; while it delivers an acceptable audiovisual performance, it fails to effectively enhance the film's replay value. Despite its cheerful holiday packaging, 'Hop' does not surpass the status of mediocre entertainment.