Hop: Osterhase oder Superstar? (2011)

Hop: Osterhase oder Superstar?: Directed by Tim Hill. With James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria. E.B., the Easter Bunny’s teenage son, heads to Hollywood, determined to become a drummer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. In LA, he’s taken in by Fred after the out-of-work slacker hits E.B. with his car.

“In the 2011 film Hop, the Easter Bunny is basically Santa Claus and its main character, EB, is just like Alvin (of Alvin and the Chipmunks). In fact, this movie is very similar to Alvinu0026#39;s movie. Alvin and Hop both feature live-action stars co-starring alongside computer-animated main characters. Both of these animated, central u0026quot;cuteu0026quot; animals want/dream of becoming recording/rock star musicians (Alvin sings … EB plays the drums). James Marsden (Enchanted, X-Men, 27 Dresses) steps into the role of Dave as the character Fred Ou0026#39;Hare (uh, get it … hare!?!). And that is about it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAs for plot: EB has fled Easter Island (yes, THAT Easter Island; and yes, u0026quot;lameu0026quot;!) a couple of weeks before he is supposed to take on the title of THE Easter Bunny. He flees to Hollywood (u0026quot;where all dreams come trueu0026quot;) and meets up with the bumbling Marsden who doesnu0026#39;t know what he wants to do in life. Hint … hint … for future plot points!u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEB(voiced by Russell Brand – Get Him to the Greek, Arthur, Despicable Me) is chased by a fairly tough bunch of Pink Berets whou0026#39;s mission is to bring him back to the island. While in LA, EB gets to meet and audition for David Hasselhoff (uh, talk about random) and his televised talent competition. I mean really! u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie is short (luckily!) BUT rambling and devoid of anything great or meaningful. The character is cute BUT annoying and irritating and kind of selfish … which doesnu0026#39;t make him a character I wanted to root for (and that the role/job of the Easter Bunny that EB is fleeing from doesnu0026#39;t ever come across as something dreadfully dream-killing). His plight is rather u0026quot;ho-hum, poor youu0026quot; (!) as he would only have to work-work ONE day a year (which leaves plenty of time to still rock a set of drums) as it is revealed that most of his work would be done by a large population of yellow chicks — think Santau0026#39;s elves and (boo!!!) the rip-offed Minions of Despicable Me! u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is kind of odd that such a bright and pastel-colored film with such cute animated characters (one even poops jellybeans!) would leave one with such a feeling of apathy. And … so … uhm … ? But this is exactly how Hop made me feel.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI enjoyed the talking pig film Babe (LOVED it); but Hop lacks that genuine human feeling of OTHER talking animal movies … it feels manufactured and painted like a brightly-colored (yet HOLLOW) Easter egg.”