Hop | Raising Children Network

Story

E.B. (voice of Russell Brand) is set to take over the family business – being the Easter Bunny. But E.B. dreams of playing the drums in a band. Just before he’s given the special magical powers of the Easter Bunny, he makes a run for Hollywood.

Meanwhile Fred (James Marsden), an unemployed 20-year-old, is struggling to find his passion in life. He’s been kicked out of the family home. When he accidentally hits E.B. with his car, Fred thinks that this talking rabbit is the same Easter Bunny that he saw as a young boy. He agrees to help E.B. follow his pop music dreams by taking him to an audition.

The current Easter Bunny (Hugh Laurie) is worried about the whereabouts of his son. He sends out his personal guards, the Pink Berets, to bring E.B. home. E.B. and Fred have to dodge the Pink Berets as they travel around Hollywood. Things get even more complicated when Carlos the chick (Hank Azaria), the Easter Bunny’s main helper, plots a takeover with the aim of becoming the ‘Easter Chick’.

Themes

Family conflict; animal distress

Violence

Hop contains some violent scenes. For example:

The Easter Bunny is hit across the face by a woman trying to push him out of her shop with a broom.
E.B. is hit by Fred’s car. Then Fred almost hits him with a large rock to finish him off.
The Easter Bunny’s personal guards, the Pink Berets, are ninja experts. They often use martial arts moves. They also shoot sedative darts to put other characters out of action.
Large dogs attack and bite Fred while he’s wearing a padded safety suit.
E.B. slaps Fred across the face, asking if he’s crazy.
Carlos hits Fred with the Easter Bunny staff.
E.B. is almost cut by blades that shape chocolate Easter bunnies.
E.B. tries to hit Carlos after he gets the special Easter power and becomes huge. Carlos hits back by throwing E.B. into boxes. Then Carlos jumps on top of E.B.

Sexual references

This movie has some sexual references. For example:

At the Playboy mansion gates, E.B. talks on the intercom about being ‘a sexy bunny’.
E.B. flirts with Fred’s sister. He calls her a ‘hot babe’.
Characters talk about ‘firm buttocks’ and ‘a wonderful butt’.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None of concern

Nudity and sexual activity

None of concern

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in this movie:

Playboy – the mansion gates with the Playboy logo are shown.
Cadburys and other branded confectionery.

Coarse language

This movie has some very mild coarse language and insults that young children might imitate.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Hop is an animated adventure with an Easter theme. It’s about conflicts between parents’ expectations and children’s dreams. It looks at what happens when these two things clash.

The main messages from this movie are:

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams, rather than trying to live up to other people’s expectations.
By working together, you and your friends can achieve great things.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include bravery, teamwork and being ready to take risks.

You could also talk about:

the bad things that might happen if you take risks such as running away from home and hanging around with strangers
the importance of being open about the clash between parents’ expectations and children’s hopes
the real meaning of Easter and the Easter bunny story.