Hop

Even after all of the insufferable promotion on NBC and NBC-owned properties (I was hoping for the chef-testants on Top Chef to capture that little animated bunny hopping across the screen and make a delicious stew), I'm still trying to think positive thoughts about Hop.

James Marsden stars as Fred O'Hare - an unemployed dude in LA who isn't sure what he wants to do with his life. While under a great deal of pressure from his father to get to work and move out of the family abode, no job interview ever pans out. To get out of the house and live large for a little while, Fred agrees to housesit the boss's place for his sister, Sam (Kaley Cuoco).

Of course, while there, Frank runs into E.B. (voice by Russell Brand) - the teen future Easter Bunny who has run away from home on the eve of his coronation to find fame and fortune as a drummer. He's quite the handful, but the two find a kinship that might help both deal with their fathers and growing up.

Will E.B. find his lucky break and make it big?

Will Frank be able to find a job and prove he's not some slacker?

Hop comfortably fits into the category of movies that are entertaining enough, provide some decent laughs and don't leave you feeling like you got ripped off when you bought the ticket. Sure, that sounds like faint praise, but it was a relief to experience Hop after Sucker Punch and Red Riding Hood. I guess it's all relative.

Director Tim Hill and the three person writing team present plenty of entertainment for kids, but don't forget the adults. Yes, we have some silliness, goofiness, and slapstick comedy for the kids, but it's fun for everyone. Hill and the gang create a fantastical world for the Easter Bunny on Easter Island (GET IT!), complete with a Willy Wonka-ish factory where all of the Easter goodies are prepared. It might not have the cachet of the North Pole, but the Easter Bunny has settled into a comfortable position as #2 to Santa's #1, and all ages will have something to laugh at.

However, watch out for some late developments in this movie that aren't all that little kid friendly. The big climax puts most of our characters in great peril, which could be too intense for the smallest ones. Also, we get a Fatal Attraction joke, if you are following my meaning (you know, THE classic Fatal Attraction scene).

Plus, am I the only one who thinks Marsden is too old for this role? Don't get me wrong. Marsden is working it as he embraces the silliest of moments and makes us laugh. He's a professional and uses his talent to make the movie better. I just feel like he's the wrong guy to portray Frank. E.B. is supposed to be a teen. Frank feels like he should be in his twenties, but Marsden is almost forty. It feels out of place, and only works because he's a good actor.

Hop has some of the predictable twists and turns as well as proselytizing themes about fathers and sons, but it's heartwarming at the right moments. Even Brand shows some charm that will make you forget about all of his more risqué material and that (apparently) god awful remake of Arthur that is advertised in every commercial not occupied by Hop.

Hop is rated PG for some mild rude humor.