I was 6 and my sister was almost 5 when I persuaded her to step on the end of a rake. My surprise when the handle hit her in the face (just like in the cartoons) was nothing compared to hers.
The unintended audience (my parents) was not amused, but the intended audience watching “Peter Rabbit,” an animated/live-action hybrid based loosely on the Beatrix Potter tales, thought it was hilarious when the same thing happens to actor Domhnall Gleeson, not once but several times.
I thought it was funny, too. Don’t tell my sister!
Gleeson plays Thomas McGregor, the great-nephew of Mr. McGregor (Sam Neill), the enemy of Peter Rabbit (voiced by “The Late Late Show” host James Corden) and the whole Rabbit family — sisters Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki) and Cotton-Tail (Daisy Ridley), and plump cousin Benjamin Bunny (Colin Moody).
When Mr. McGregor keels over while trying to rid his garden of the Rabbits, who are intent on stealing his produce, straight-laced and uptight Thomas inherits the country property and the Rabbit problem. It’s not long before total war breaks out.
Humor that mostly adults will get (plump Benjamin wonders why he can’t seem to lose weight, even though he eats only salad) combined with physical comedy — at times a little too in-your-face because of the demands of 3D — make this a fun romp for young and old.
But maybe not too young. The humor sometimes takes awhile to land (see salad example above, which continues with Peter suggesting Benjamin eat it with dressing on the side or with a bit of lemon). A bored preschooler seated behind me decided it was time to “pause” the movie, so he could go to his grandmother’s house.
The CGI animation is anything but boring and is so detailed you could swear the rabbits were real, until they talk, walk around on their hind legs, climb trees and wear clothes — but only shirts or vests. Why do animated animals never seem to wear pants? A question for the ages.
Mixed in with live action and CGI are moments of traditional animation. Neighbor Bea (Rose Byrne), an artist and animal lover, draws pictures of the Rabbit family (the running joke is she’s a terrible painter but a great illustrator). The drawings become animated, meant to recall Beatrix Potter’s illustrations, and used in flashbacks of Peter and his sisters’ mother and father, making for lovely, wistful moments.
There are lessons to be learned, of course. But it’s all done with style. Word of warning, though, these are cute rabbits and Easter is coming up. Need I say more, parents?
“PETER RABBIT”
- Directed by: Will Gluck
- Starring: Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, Sam Neill, James Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley and Sia.
- Rated: PG for some rude humor and action.
- Should you go? You’re sure to have a hoppin’ good time. ***
