PETER RABBIT : HOP TO IT!

Image Source - IMDb

Ever since Skip’s holidays have begun, I’ve been religiously checking the BookMyShow site, awaiting the release of movies for kids. I had also seen the trailer of this film and couldn’t wait to take Skip for this movie. This is a live action movie (a film that has animated as well as real actors in it. Eg: Stuart Little). I asked my mother to come along for this movie.

This movie is being screened in P[XL]. Last year PVR launched the P[XL] screens in theatres that feature extra large wall to wall screens with ultra- high resolution and a Dolby Atmos enabled surround sound system.

This was our first movie in a P [XL] and I was pretty excited about it. Mother was still recovering from her first time in my car with me driving it and Skip was busy announcing to the audience the kind of popcorn he wanted.

I love live-action films and as expected I loved this movie too.

The film is based on the popular children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, written and beautifully illustrated by Beatrix Potter.

The film revolves around the antics of Peter (James Corden) and his sidekicks- his triplet sisters – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and their cousin Benjamin whose sole purpose is to get their hands (paws) on the vegetables grown in Mr. Joe McGregor’s (Sam Neill) garden. Mr. McGregor is a malicious old man who doesn’t want to share his vegetables and has cordoned off his garden from the surrounding wildlife. He is also responsible for having orphaned these bunnies. Peter has taken it upon himself to reclaim the vegetable garden that he believes rightfully belongs to him and his other animal friends.

McGregor’s neighour, Bea (Rose Byrne) has a quaint little cottage where she paints abstract pictures as well as pictures of these rabbits. She looks after these rabbits and the rabbits look up to her as their mother.

After McGregor’s sudden demise, his nephew, Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson) takes over the house and the vegetable garden. Thomas who has recently been kicked out of his job, plans on selling the house and setting up his own toy store in London. He is a cleanliness freak and like his Uncle, considers the rabbits as vermin who ought to be kept far, far away from the house. While he’s setting up the place for the prospective purchasers, Thomas falls in love with Bea and she too begins to have feelings for him much to the annoyance of Peter. The movie then continues with Peter and Thomas trying to rid each other from that place while at the same time maintaining a farce of friendship in front of Bea. A major disaster strikes that has Bea and Thomas split. Thomas has the house sold and Bea looks to move away from the place.

Will Bea and Thomas reunite? Will Peter and Thomas reconcile their differences? Will Bea move away from her place? Will the rabbits have a burrow to live in?

If not for anything else, please do watch the movie for the bunnies. They are so cute and adorable in their little jackets. Mother and I kept patting Skip on his head and pulling his cheeks much to his annoyance (he’s not to be disturbed when he’s busy separating his cheese popcorn from the caramel).

The cinematography is amazing. The P[XL] enhanced the visual effects. Though the movie is not shot in 3D, the visuals appeared larger than life and the Dual 4K projection system has the picture appear in high definition and crystal clear.

The visual storytelling is good. The antics of the rabbits and the other animals keep you entertained and the scenes of altercation between Thomas and the rabbits are hilarious. This story also has many life lessons thrown in – Do not eat junk food, be environmental friendly, everyone has character flaws- accept them as they are ...

The background music and songs sung by the sparrows are peppy and keeps with the pace of the film.

 The movie is light hearted and like cartoon films, all scenes are made to appear comical. So if you don’t mind a little loud acting and ‘over the top’ reactions, I would recommend you go watch this movie. The movie shall definitely appeal to kids and adults alike.