‘Peter Rabbit’ hops into theaters.
If you happen to be among the many young adults who left your affinity for animated woodland creatures — like troupes of sassy, talking rabbits — in your childhood, it may be time for a re-evaluation.
Peter Rabbit and his gang of sidekick rabbits have made a comeback in cinematic form.
“Peter Rabbit,” the film, is based on the beloved collection of British children’s books written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, and follows the tales of a troublesome rabbit with a tendency to defy orders, scramble into the garden of the glowering Mr. McGregor, and munch on carrots, as rabbits do.
The books are filled with beautiful, enticing illustrations and the storylines are entertaining and endearing. Still, the gist of most of the Peter Rabbit stories can be summed up in a few lines of dialogue.
Mr. McGregor: “Don’t go in my garden, rabbit!”
Peter Rabbit: “I’ll do what I want.”
The film goes beyond a simple iteration of the playful children’s books that you might expect from an animated movie of the same title.
Each character leaps off the pages of the bedtime stories and lands in the film as bold embodiments of newfound personality, individuality, and quirkiness, while actively maintaining a sense of belonging to the picture books that were read to you fifteen years ago.
The film provides the backstory of Peter and his family, and connects the tales of decades ago with the current day, where Peter, along with his nutty triplet sisters and sidekick cousin, live next to Bea, an affectionate artist searching for inspiration on the rolling hills of the English countryside. Played by the ever-enchanting Rose Bryne, Bea lovingly dotes on the rabbits.
It would be hard not to. Peter’s boyish — or rabbit-ish? — charm and witty disposition solicit bouts of laughter so genuine it’s easy to forget you’re watching a woodland-style product of animation intended to entertain grade schoolers while their parents catch up on some much-needed sleep.
Cameos by a group of birds with serious rapping skills, as well as a well-dressed pig — whose eating habits mirror those of a college student during finals week — are equally delightful.
Peter and his “lookouts,” as he lovingly dubs his siblings and cousin, now face the wrath of Mr. McGregor 2.0, the nephew of Mr. McGregor, who — spoiler alert! — is newly dead. The young man moves in next to Bea, bringing his control issues and city boy attitude with him from London.
One likely love story, hundreds of stolen vegetables, and countless pranks involving a certain rewired electric fence later, the mischievous rabbits and the slightly offbeat humans learn lessons in sacrifice, the value of sharing, and the importance of family.
They also all clearly learn lessons in rewiring electric fences.
Captivating animation and picturesque countryside scenery provide the film with the ingredients it needs to make a light hearted comedy flick that evokes nostalgia and leaves you begging for a squeak-el.
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