Had they not attempt to make a movie based off a beloved children’s book
classic by Beatrix Potter, this film would be exceptional. Unfortunately,
they chose to deviate from the innocent storytelling and put a slapstick
comical spin on it. Peter Rabbit (James Corden) and his sisters, Flopsy,
Mopsy, Cottontail, and their cousin Benjamin are constantly trying to steal
vegetables from the unpleasant and always grumpy Mr. MacGregor’s garden.
Fortunately, the rabbits have one human on their side, MacGregor’s
neighbor, Bea (Rose Byrne), who reminds MacGregor, the animals were on the
land first and everyone should share.
One morning Mr. MacGregor (SamNeill) keels over after trying to save his garden from those pesky
rabbits. His straight-laced city boy grandnephew Thomas MacGregor (Dohmnall
Gleason) inherits the property and is left with trying to maintain the
“rodent” problem. An all-out war ensues between Peter and Thomas!
What made Beatrix Potter’s books so appealing, was her ability to show a
vulnerability to where the reader could sympathize with such
mischievous rabbits.
This film was chalked full of naughty behavior, jealousy, and entitlement
within the story line characters. As a film, it’s hilarious—Home Alone
type shenanigans with a little Dennis the Menace antics peppered in. Live
action mixed in with CGI effects is quite impressive—too good, you almost
think the rabbits were real. If you can deviate from the stories we’ve all
grown to love, this film is excellent, entertaining, and for the intended
audience-kids under the age of 10……… which all thought it was
“totally awesome!”
3.5 out of 5 stars
Second review by Jennifer Fiduccia.
The new release of Peter Rabbit is a live action, CGI animated family
comedy rated PG.
Peter Rabbit stars Sam Neill as Mr. McGregor as the old farmer, Domhnall
Gleeson as Thomas McGregor,Mr. McGregors nephew, inherits the farm house
and desperately tries to of Peter Rabbit and all his animal friends and
relatives, and Rose Byrne as Bea, a kind animal lover, and aspiring
painter, who lives next door to Thomas.
The Voice Cast includes James Corden as the mischievous and impulsive
Peter Rabbit; Daisy Ridley as Cottontail, Peter’s youngest sister who is
the “loose cannon”; Margot Robbie as nervous Flopsy; Elizabeth Debicki
as Mopsy, Peter’s feisty and stubborn oldest sister; and Matt Lucas as
Benjamin Bunny, Peter’s clumsy cousin. Another notable name is Sia as
Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, a hedgehog.
As I watched the previews for Peter Rabbit I was a bit apprehensive
about taking my 9 year old to see it, as many of the previews showed the
mischievous acts that Peter commits and orchestrates, without too much
context of the full story in which the acts took place. I was nervous
that the whole movie would simply be one shenanigan after another and
just in general be setting a bad example for the kids.
I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I had nothing to worry
about, There are plenty of hijinks and shenanigans throughout the movie,
but they are all well incorporated and really “have a point” at least
from the rabbits point of view, and the retaliation from the farmer also
has its place and flows well within the story.
The animation and detail in this film are really really amazing.
I found myself watching the details of the chase scenes, as much as the
chase scene itself.
From the way the dirt moved under the rabbits feet as they ran to the
way their fur flowed with the wind, the attention to detail was really
incredible.
Peter Rabbit is an update of Beatrix Potter’s classic characters,
brought to the big screen with catchy tunes and bright colors, and
honestly, a great story.
Kids will enjoy it for the quick action, and as adults, my husband and I
laughed right out loud at quite a few jokes and scenes.
I also liked that it didn’t paint the world in such black and white
terms, but acknowledged that lots of times, “real life” occurs in shades
of grey of what is right and wrong and how to handle it.
I loved how Peter realizes his mistakes on his own, and tries to make
things right.
The movie brings home the important ideals around family and learning to
add to your family, and how hard it can be to deal with the feelings
around that. It deals with the emotions involved in a humorous yet
poignant way, and shows what can happen when you let your feelings run
away with you, but also that you can “fix it” when you make a mistake,
but that in order to fix it, you have to work hard.
My son loved the movie, and my husband and I did too.
We would give the film a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We would totally see it in the theater again, and I can’t wait for it to
come out on Blu Ray!
