animation

Bring home ‘Hoppers’ for a hoppin’ good time

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 


The Disney/Pixar film Hoppers is now available on digital platforms with plenty of bonus material. The story is filled with heart as one brave young girl sets out to help the animals in her beloved glade.

Mabel starts off in the film as a very young girl who has always tried to help animals, even going so far as to attempt to take them from her school and set them free.  The story then jumps to Mabel as a 19-year old and living with her grandmother who teaches her about the environment and how we are all connected – animals and humans.

When the devious mayor begins to build a beltway through the glade, Mabel steps into action. Hoping to stop the construction, she sets out to get a petition, however that does not go the way she wants. 

Then she accidentally discovers an experiment in the lab at her college. It involves transferring a human brain into a robotic animal and going out into the world to discover more about them. They call it “hopping.”

She says the experiment is just like Avatar, but her professor disagrees. Not wanting to waste any time saving the glade and the animals’ home, Mabel jumps right into the experiment, to the surprise of those in the lab. 

Now, as a robotic beaver, Mabel sets out to find all the animals that were displaced by the construction project. She knows that if she can get just one beaver to return to the glade, then other animals will follow.

Mabel first meets George, the mammal king who is a well-intentioned beaver. George sees her as just another beaver. When George and the other animals resign themselves to living away from their home, it is Mabel who spurs them on to regain their habitat. And she is victorious, for a while.

Discovering the true evilness inflicted on the animals by the mayor, Mable puts her heart and soul into stopping the construction and helping the animals. 

The friendship between Mabel and George is precious. And all the animals have interesting personalities and perspectives on life. The “pond rule” is that if an animal is captured by another animal, that’s just the way it is. He or she then becomes the other animal’s meal. That’s the circle of life, or as they say, the pond rule.

When push comes to shove, it is the animals who ultimately save the humans. 

This is a cute story with a young hero who sets a good example for others. Although there are scenes of animals’ demise, on the whole it is a very entertaining film.

The bonus features take viewers into the movie-making process with insights from the filmmakers.

“The Critter Diaries” is a featurette showing how the team researched the lives and physiology of the animals. They went to Yellowstone National Park where they were able to get up close with the animals and even into a deserted Beaver lodge! The folks at Pixar always do extensive research when making a film, and this time they had a great time exploring nature and the wild life of Yellowstone.

“Hopping In: The Making of Hoppers” delves into the process of creating the story, refining it, and ultimately bringing it to the public. 

“Meet King George” focuses on how George’s Superlodge was created. This was a daunting task but the final product was worth it.

“Beaverton Revealed” shows various easter eggs in the scenes which die-hard Pixar fans might have missed when viewing the film. 

Bloopers and several deleted scenes are also included. The scenes that did not make it into the final production are introduced by director Daniel Chong and editor Axel Geddes. Honestly, many of them are so cute that they could be in the film, however they did not make the cut.

Keep in mind bonus features may vary by product and retailer.

 

Hoppers is rated PG for action/peril, some scary images, and mild language. It is now available on digital platforms including Movies Anywhere, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. On June 2, 2026 it will be available on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as a 4K UHD set. 

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘The Art of Hoppers’ book review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The newest “Art of” book in the Disney/Pixar series is The Art of Hoppers, with coincides with the release of the latest animated film. The story focuses on one determined young woman who makes it her mission to save and protect animals and their habitats.

The book, like all the others in this series, includes editorial as well as countless images and drawings that went into creating the movie.

The foreword from Executive Producer Pete Doctor, is filled with his usual wit. With the main character “hopping” into the robotic body of a beaver, Doctor writes, “So as you gnaw through these pages, take a moment to chew over the artistry behind the adventure, This is where Hoppers began – not in the final polished frames, but in the raw, dam-bursting creativity that first brought these beavers to life.” 

Indeed, the story did not begin the way it ended up, and through the pages the various prospective scenes are shown, giving readers a better insight into the mindset of the creative team. Director Daniel Chong admits that his initial thoughts on the film could not come to fruition. But things eventually worked out. He writes, “As our own King George would say, we were all in this together.”

There is a picture of the blackboard which the scientists use to figure out how to “hop” from a human brain into a robotic animal. It is filled with equations and scientific terms. Is this really how to do it? It is in a Disney/Pixar film!

Mabel, the hero of the film, went through different visual incarnations until they came up with final look of this girl. Mabel Tanaka is a determined 19-year-old who is fearless when it comes to helping the animals. Granted, she may not be the cutest animated hero, but she does have something very likable about her looks and her expressions. And her love of animals adds to her likability.

The pages are a great adjunct to the movie. I highly recommend seeing the movie first then going through the book to get a detailed background to the characters, the story, and the visuals that are seen on the screen. 

The animators describe how they created the various animals – their shapes and colors. Plus the attitudes of the critters had to come through in the film, so that gave them more reason to delve into the construct of the faces and bodies.

My favorite page is 69, and it is a digital drawing of the main animals in the film. It brings back the humor, humanity, and fun of the story.

There are comments by the artists along with the digital art that helps readers learn about the background of the story and the scenes.

True, there are some intense and scary parts to the film, but the majority is colorful and sweet. Sensitivity, however, always resides in the background, and the book demonstrates that.

As story artist Vanessa Guvele says, “The fire scene symbolizes everything Mabel has fought for going up in flames. … Even after Mabel loses everything, her friends are there to pick her up when she needs them the most.” That is the theme of the film. We are all in this together and must help each other. 

The book is filled with artwork and background, and screenwriter Jesse Andrews admits it took three years to write the story. Reading the comments by the filmmakers, it is evident they all had a lot of fun creating this new movie.

  • The Art of Hoppers
  • Publisher  :  Chronicle Books
  • Publication date  :  February 10, 2026
  • ISBN-10  :  1797237071
  • ISBN-13  :  978-179723707

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Read our movie review of Hoppers here.

 

‘Check out the trailer for ‘The Pout Pout Fish’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Based on the bestselling book of the same name, the animated movie The Pout Pout Fish from Viva Kids is coming to theaters March 20, 2026. 

“The Pout Pout Fish” is the hilarious and heartwarming story of an unlikely duo: Mr. Fish (Offerman) a pouty introvert and Pip (Oyama) an energetic sea dragon, who embark on a daunting quest to find a legendary fish to grant their wish to save their homes.

“The Pout-Pout Fish has been cherished in classrooms and homes around the world, teaching lessons of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery to an entire generation,” said Victor Elizalde, CEO of Viva Pictures. “Bringing this beloved story to theaters reflects Viva’s commitment to championing iconic IP and delivering bold, franchise-worthy animation. With its educational legacy, global readership, and stunning adaptation for the big screen, The Pout-Pout Fish is poised to inspire audiences everywhere.”

“The Pout-Pout Fish began as a single book and has since grown into a global franchise embraced by readers, educators, and families everywhere,” said Jen Besser, President and Publisher at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. “The film marks an exciting step in expanding the world of The Pout-Pout Fish beyond publishing and onto the big screen.”    

 “From the first draft and designs, The Pout-Pout Fish had us hooked. We’re thrilled to see buyers worldwide share our love for this unlikely duo — a pouty loner and a high-energy sea dragon,” said Sola Media’s Managing Director, Solveig Langeland. “Viva is the perfect partner for a wide U.S. release, and we’re confident they’ll reach the large North American audience that already loves the bestselling book.”

The Pout Pout Fish is rated PG for mild action and rude humor

 

Image courtesy Viva Kids

Francine Brokaw

‘Proud Princess’ is entertaining and delightful

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The animated musical film  Proud Princess is entertaining and a true delight.

It is time for fun-loving, kind, and handsome King Benjamin (voiced by William Attenborough) to chose a bride. After all, the Sun Kingdom is in need of a queen to rule with their beloved king.

When presented with a portrait of Princess Carolina (voiced by Georgia Lowe), he is immediately taken with her beauty and her look of sweetness. He sends her his own portrait, which she immediately rebuffs, and sends it back. That’s exactly what the advisors want. They, led by the evil Maximus, want the princess to marry a different prince who is ultimately brought to the palace, along with a great deal of money. Maximus is a scoundrel and only wants the money – and to rule the kingdom his own way. He could care less about the princess’ own feelings and desires.

Benjamin, still taken by the princess, travels to the Midnight Kingdom to persuade her to reconsider. He fell in love with her and wants her for his queen. Along the way King Benjamin decides to ingratiate himself to her by posing as a gardener. 

While using his charms, as well as his ability to transform her garden into a magnificent spectacle of color and beauty, the two form a tenuous friendship. The thing about Princess Carolina is that she is a snob. She is rude, pompous, and self centered. The only thing she cares about, other than herself, is her adorable dog Bijou, who is not only her companion, but also her protector.

Carolina was once a fun and sweet girl, however after her mother died, her whole life changed, as well as her personality. Benjamin knows there is still kindness and love inside her.

Thanks to some magical flowers and music, Carolina begins to change back to the lovely girl she once was. Little by little she and Benjamin grow closer, however Maximus is determined to keep them apart and bring back the wealthy prince. Everyone is unaware that the gardener is in fact King Benjamin.

Benjamin saw the kindness that was inside Carolina from the first time he set eyes on her portrait. He knows he can bring it out again, and indeed he does. The hidden kindness that was pushed away when her mother died comes forth, as well as her ability to love another.

Maximus is determined to marry her off to the wealthy prince, so Carolina flees with the gardener, who leads them on a treacherous journey heading back to his Sun Kingdom. Along the way there is plenty of danger as Maximus and his men are in hot pursuit. This is an escape rife with peril, and a scene reminiscent of a dangerous log ride at a theme park, but in true fairy tale form, there is a happy ending.

The movie is peppered with musical numbers (sung by the actors who voiced the characters) as the story unfolds with wonderful animation.

It premieres in a few select theaters February 20, 2026. If it is not playing in your area, don’t worry. It will be available on demand beginning April 7, 2026, when you can gather your family for a fun adventure.

 Proud Princess is rated G and is an entertaining movie for the whole family. It is truly a delightful movie for everyone.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images supplied courtesy Proud Princess/Level 33 Entertainment

“Sketchbook’ on Disney+ is all about the pictures and the people

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

The newest documentary series on Disney+ is an interesting education about the creators who have drawn some of the most memorable characters in Disney films: Kuzco, Olaf, The Genie, Captain Hook, Mirabel, and Simba.

This series of shorts looks at how to draw the six characters as viewers get instructions about the art of animation. Besides learning about how to draw them, viewers also learn a little about the characters but they also get background on the animators themselves.  Every animator has a different story about how they got to where they are.

This series is a brief look at how hopes and dreams have become reality for six people who bring fun and fantasy to life. While watching the characters evolve, viewers learn about all kinds of things related to them and their stories. It’s a sneak peek into the background of the characters and the artists.

With a little patience and some trial and errors, viewers might just get comfortable drawing their own characters. Hey, it’s worth a try. And these animators make the drawing process look easy. (Of course it’s not.)

Gabby Capili – Draws Kuzco – Emperor’s New Groove
Hyun-Min Lee – Draws Olaf – Frozen
Eric Goldberg – Draws Genie – Aladdin
Jin Kim – Draws Captain Hook – Peter Pan
Samantha Vilfort – Draws Mirabel – Encanto
Mark Henn – Draws Young Simba – The Lion King

So pick up a pencil and get some paper. Check out Sketchbook and see what you can learn about these characters.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association, was a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

 

Courtesy photo from Disney+

‘Blush’ on Apple TV+ will touch your heart

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The short film Blush is a special one for writer/director Joe Mateo. It is a tribute to his late wife Mary Ann and if this sweet little film doesn’t touch your heart, you have a heart of stone.

The story is about a young horticulturist astronaut who crashes on a strange, uninhabited, little planet. Soon he has another visitor. This ethereal young woman also crashes her ship on the planet. She ends up helping the guy with his plants. She has a special way with living things. As their relationship grows they make the planet into their own Garden of Eden.

Soon the couple has two young girls and the entire family enjoys all that they have created. They are a loving and happy family of four. But something happens to shake up their idyllic life.

There is no dialogue in the short 14-minute film. There does not have to be. It is absolutely perfect just the way it is. It is interesting how animated characters can touch our emotions so deeply, but they certainly do.

SPOILER ALERT: This is a personal story for Mateo who lost his wife and made this film to commemorate their life, love, and show how he and his daughters healed after the loss of their mother and wife. It is a touching story that will undoubtedly bring a tear to viewers’ eyes or put a lump in their throats.

Blush can be seen on Apple TV+.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Bring home ‘Smallfoot’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The musical animated film Smallfoot is a fun twist on a legend. Do humans really exist? That’s the question for a village of yetis.

The story is set in the Himalayans where way up on top of a mountain above the clouds is a village of yetis. They live by a strict code where everything is written in stone – literally. Their laws and code of conduct are all on stones kept by the Stone Keeper. Everyone has his/her own job to do.

Migo is a fun-loving yeti whose father is the gong ringer. Every morning he is catapulted through the air to ring the gong, which brings up the sun. Migo is next in line for that job and looking forward to taking over for his father.

When Migo accidentally falls down through the clouds, he discovers a small foot, aka human. According to the stones, small foots don’t exist. Migo sets out to prove he is not crazy.

While searching for his little friend, Migo is joined by a group of other yetis who also believe in Small Foots. They must do this secretly because, well, the stones are the laws and if a stone says they don’t exist then they don’t exits. And if they prove that that stone is wrong, what about all the other stones? What is really going on?

The story is about understanding and accepting. It’s about learning to get along. Are humans afraid of yetis or are yetis afraid of humans? Or are they all willing and able to be accepting?

Migo is voiced by Channing Tatum. James Corden, Zendaya, Common, Danny DeVito, LeBron James, and Gina Rodriguez are some of the others lending their voices to the many characters in this sweet movie. As Migo is attempting to prove that humans really do exist, the human Percy is attempting to prove that yetis really do exist. The friendship formed between these two is heartening.

With plenty of songs to go along with the cute story, the Blu-ray combo includes two versions of the film. There is the theatrical version and the “Yeti Set Go Sing-Along” version. Whichever version you select, the movie is fun for the whole family. There are a few bonus features including a mini movie with the cutest little yeti toddler Soozie, a look at the making of the film.

Smallfoot is rated PG for some action, rude humor, and thematic elements.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Napping Princess’ on Blu-ray + DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



From Studio Ghibli, Napping Princess is an imaginative Anime film combining magic, mystery, and a little mayhem. It’s also a film about family.

The year is 2020 and Tokyo is preparing for the Olympics. Kokone is supposed to be preparing for her senior year of high school but this adorable and adventurous girl has a secret. She nods off quite frequently, and when she sleeps she enters a mysterious kingdom with a princess who uses her tablet for magic.

Kokone’s father is a mechanic and inventor. He has been caring for his daughter since the death of his wife. As far as Kokone knows, he is her only living relative. But there are secrets that bubble up in real life as well as in her dreams. And when she finally puts the pieces together, her life and her family’s history is revealed.

What this film does is infuse magic into the real world. When Kokone’s dream world meets her real world, things happen – magic happens.

Her father is arrested for stealing technology from a powerful corporation that is one of the largest automobile companies in the country. But Kokone knows her father would never do that. So, with the help of her childhood friend Morio, they set off on a magical adventure to Tokyo to save her father and in doing so, ultimately uncover the family secret that has been kept from her her entire life.

What is behind the stolen technology? This technology is the ultimate blueprint for a true self-driving car. The cars are supposed to be the highlight of the Olympics opening ceremony, but this family’s secrets might put an end to that. By following the clues in her dreams, Kokone merges her dreams with her life and everything unfolds in this somewhat emotional family story.

This imaginative movie also brings up the idea that what we dream might not be all fantasy. Our dreams could be based on reality. Metaphysics might not have been at the forefront in the minds of the filmmakers when the story was written, but it definitely has a part in it.

Napping Princess is a fun fantasy film. Bonus features include backgrounds with the Japanese cast and filmmakers.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia’ available on Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Last year the DreamWorks Animation series Trollhunters took Netflix viewers to a new realm. The 26-episode first season was the most watched kids original series on Netflix, to date. The second season, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia premiers December 15, 2017 with 13 fun-filled episodes for fans young and not-so-young.

As the writers explained to members of the media, the story was originally envisioned as a feature film, but there was too much to explore so they designed a serialized trilogy that has been created for TV viewers on Netflix. In the first season they crafted the different worlds: the human world and the troll world, and they brought the characters to life. Season two expands the characters and explores the mythology, giving a more detailed look at the background of the special magical items as well as the characters.

As they also discussed, Toby is not just a sidekick for Jim, and Claire is not just the token female/girlfriend. This season is definitely the “season of Claire,” and her strength and the power of her shadow staff comes into play more as the episodes progress.

The series is as entertaining for girls as it is for boys, and the kids who have been hooked on the show have involved their parents in it as well. The characters, mythology, and magic appeal to all viewers.

The late Anton Yelchin voiced the character of Jim in the show and the writers/producers expressed sadness that the actor didn’t live long enough to see the love and affection viewers have for the series.


Kelsey Grammer voices the adorable troll Blinky, and this season Mark Hamill comes on as Blinky’s evil brother Dictatious Maximus. The writers are excited by Hamill’s addition to the show. He brings a different level of enthusiasm and vision to his character than they originally imagined.

The third season in the trilogy will be “Wizards” yet that has yet to be finalized.

Trollhunters garnered the most Emmy Awards for in single year for an animated show. There’s no doubt the show has a strong following and with the way the entire season is available for binge watching on Netflix, it is sure to gain even more viewers as the second season hits the network.

With the winter months being notorious for sick days, having these two season available to view will be a welcome experience for any kid who is stuck in bed with a cold or the flu.

Trollhunters and Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia are rated TV-Y7.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter