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By Billie Melissa
Contributing Entertainment Writer
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Pixar continues to prove it is the perfect place for talent to rise through the ranks, as Daniel Chong, director of the new film "Hoppers," started his career at Pixar in 2011 on "Cars 2," where he was a story artist, going on to work on numerous productions for the studio before setting out on his feature directorial debut which previewed for audiences this weekend.
Having worked as a member of Pixar's senior creative team for years, Chong's first directorial effort for the studio will hit big screens on March 6 – after six years of persistence – following a long line of creative talent that started in a myriad roles before working their way up to the big-ticket position on a film.
"Hoppers," co-written by Chong along with "Elio" and "Luca" scribe Jesse Andrews, follows 19-year-old Mabel, who finds herself in trouble when her fiery attempts to save the local glade from being built over by the town's Mayor come up fruitless.
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Mabel grows frustrated that people won't seem to listen to her – an issue she suddenly finds a golden opportunity to resolve when she uncovers this new technology at her university that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver.
Voiced by Piper Curda, Mabel's enthusiasm is contagious. Her fervour and energy will be familiar to any young person who's felt passionate about a subject to the point of helplessness when it feels like the world won't listen to you.
Humanized through a connection to her grandmother, who shares a similar affinity with nature, Mabel's care is palpable, and she grabs the audience's hearts from minute one.
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Curda's voice joins a phenomenal symphony of stars, which includes Bobby Moynihan as King George, a beaver who rules the mammal kingdom, along with Melissa Villaseñor as Ellen, a grumbly grizzly bear, Eduardo Franco as the apathetic beaver Loaf, Dave Franco as the deranged Insect King, along with Meryl Streep who shows up for a brief stint as his mother before an untimely (yet hilarious) demise.
Also among the voice actors are Jon Hamm as the town's all-too-familiar Mayor Jerry, Kathy Najimy as Dr. Sam, Mabel's professor, and Vanessa Bayer as Diane (whose arrival is a highlight).
Pixar has never strayed from its tried-and-true method of releasing original stories that serve as poignant moral tales. Often discussing difficult topics in a way that's digestible but never patronising, Pixar remains the premium place for delivering stories that are thoughtful, compassionate, and intelligent.
"Hoppers" has it all. It's got heart. It's hilarious. It's warm. It's smart. It's a hit. Having conversations about climate change, the power of community, and the importance of communication in a way that never feels contentious, its approach to the dynamic between Mabel and Mayor Jerry – although idealistic – is designed to show that bridges can be built when we work together to craft them.
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Mabel's inner fire may be familiar to young people today, who often find they don't have the opportunity to make decisions about their future. While she feels this deeply, to the point it often explodes out of her in anger, it shows that she doesn't have to bear the weight of this alone, and that there is power in community if you open yourself up to it.
Her arc is profound. When she learns to work for the greater good instead of following the impulse of selfish desire, she unlocks a part of herself that allows her to live with her passion in a productive way.
There are so many intricate details to "Hoppers" that it'd be hard to come away from it unaffected or moved by what it has to say. Whether you identify with Mabel and her passion for justice, or Jerry and his ambition, King George and his wish for harmony, the Insect King and his exhaustion of being overlooked, or Loaf and his desire for rest, there is something inside this story that'll connect with an move you.
Beyond its magnificent accomplishments in story, there are also many technical elements to admire, including the perspective shift between how the animals see each other versus how the humans see them. There's an attention to detail Pixar fans will be used to, but in a way that feels elevated. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail, but one that truly boosts the story.
It also boasts beautiful sound design throughout that elevates the romance of nature and inspires you to take a moment, too, to listen to the world around you.
All of this to say, "Hoppers" is thoughtful, heartfelt, and profound in a way that warms you in a divisive world. In an exchange between Mabel and Mayor Jerry, there is a moment where they reflect on idealism vs realism, and "Hoppers" invites you to do the same: believe in a better world for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and come out the other side better for it.
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When Is ‘Hoppers’ Out in Theaters?
"Hoppers" hits theaters on March 6, 2026.
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