2026

Hoppers (2026) Daniel Chong.

"Hoppers" is a pretty good movie overall. Finding out it was directed by the same guy who created "We Bare Bears" no wonder it has mix of funny and terrifying moments. What draws me to this movie is that it's a social commentary on how higher ups and activists should face the consequences when it comes to dealing their beliefs. They have their own good intentions but some of their methods tend to endanger what they're protecting or fighting for. Also both of them have extremists and expect that some people on those sides will take advantage of the situation for their own purpose.

I loved this movie.

I wasn't particularly interested in seeing this one until other reviewers I speak to had given their recommendations for it. Going in with moderate expectations, I was still surprised. This film is hilarious. At the time of watching, it was the most I had laughed in a theater for the year. The set-up of the film is rather standard for Pixar, which is a high standard. However once the main character and core conflict are established, the movie shifts to be a zany comedic power house. The plot looks all over the place, yet somehow naturally flows from set piece to set piece. Each scene is a logical yet cartoonish escalation from the last. Normally this would result in a film that grows beyond cohesion, but the consistent emotional core of the film anchors the surreal occurrences into a believable perspective. The feeling of the world's problems being so dire and you being so small up against them allows the short tempered protagonist to lose her cool in completely understandable ways and complicate the narrative for herself and the other characters. Then the third act comes in and pays off every built up emotional beat and absurd escalation in a hilarious fashion. There is something to say about the conflicts being wrapped up a little too cleanly in regards to its environmentalist messaging, but this was no issue for me. The whole film had this "Saturday Morning" feel that I think works with an overtly great conclusion. I think you would like this Pixar film if you like DreamWorks films, or if you want a film to make you and other family members laugh.

Day 31: We Bare Bears!

directed by Daniel Chong, 2026