RBR: Hop

I'm sure when it was originally pitched, Hop sounded like a great idea. You take the winning formula of films like The Santa Clause and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and you apply them to the underutilized genre of Easter films. It's a sound strategy in theory, but this film fails in every possible way. This is a dumb, poorly conceived, unfunny film that makes me feel sorry for all who were involved. The plot involves the Easter Bunnny's son, E.B., uninterested in taking over the family business, leaves his home on Easter Island and ventures to the U. S. in hopes of being a famous drummer. On his journey, he meets Fred O'Hare (these Easter puns doing anything for you yet?), who also is a slacker in need of direction. Together they encounter several plot holes, lame jokes, and annoying characters before eventually learning a weak lesson in responsibility. Clearly the film is aimed at children, but if this is what passes for serviceable entertainment for young ones, our future society will be in severe trouble. The only thing notable about this film is that it now gives us the Easter equivalent to the lump of coal in the stocking at Christmas time. Parents can threaten bad kids that they'll find a copy of this film in their Easter basket if they don't behave. In case it wasn't clear, skip this one at all costs. Rating: *