"Peter Rabbit" (PG, 1:33) is a shocking movie to contemplate. It's shocking to think that it took more than a century for the mischievous bunny of British scientist, illustrator and writer Beatrix Potter's early 20th century children's books to get the big screen treatment. Ah, but it was well worth the wait.
In this live-action adaptation, the CGI Peter is voiced by James Corden. He leads his complicit, but more cautious little sisters, Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki) and Cottontail (Daisy Ridley), along with their clumsy cousin, Benjamin (Colin Moody), on regular raids into the garden of mean old Mr. McGregor (an unrecognizable Sam Neill). Peter is not just mischievous, he's selfish and reckless, often tempting danger in his pursuit of his ill-gotten vegetables. McGregor is in a constant battle with Peter, but just when it looks like the Old Man may have finally gotten the upper hand, he keels over.
The country estate then passes to the meticulous and ambitious London department store supervisor, Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson). Thomas travels into the country to fix up the place so he can sell it and finance his dream of opening his own toy store. He soon finds himself in his own cat and mouse... er, human and rabbit... game with Peter. Doing her best to protest Peter from Thomas (much as she did with Peter's late great uncle) is next-door neighbor and animal lover Bea (Rose Byrne). As Thomas starts to fall for Bea, their blossoming relationship complicates his attempts to be rid of Peter once and for all.
"Peter Rabbit" is a fun family film. The battles between the McGregor men and Peter get kind of mean-spirited at times, but the violence is mostly of the cartoon variety. The script by Will Gluck (who also directs) and Zareh Nalbandian is mostly well-written and cleverer than your average anthropomorphic animal tale. The voice cast is very good, Byrne's winning presence naturally enhances enjoyment of the film and the usually serious Gleeson proves surprisingly adept at comedy, especially the physical kind. Peter's personality and imperfections remind me of Surly Squirrel in the "Nut Job" movies, but Peter's a little bit sweeter. In the end, despite some uneven storytelling, Peter learns some lessons, as do the main live-action characters, and Movie Fans get a pretty enjoyable hour and a half at the movies. "B+"
In this live-action adaptation, the CGI Peter is voiced by James Corden. He leads his complicit, but more cautious little sisters, Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki) and Cottontail (Daisy Ridley), along with their clumsy cousin, Benjamin (Colin Moody), on regular raids into the garden of mean old Mr. McGregor (an unrecognizable Sam Neill). Peter is not just mischievous, he's selfish and reckless, often tempting danger in his pursuit of his ill-gotten vegetables. McGregor is in a constant battle with Peter, but just when it looks like the Old Man may have finally gotten the upper hand, he keels over.
The country estate then passes to the meticulous and ambitious London department store supervisor, Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson). Thomas travels into the country to fix up the place so he can sell it and finance his dream of opening his own toy store. He soon finds himself in his own cat and mouse... er, human and rabbit... game with Peter. Doing her best to protest Peter from Thomas (much as she did with Peter's late great uncle) is next-door neighbor and animal lover Bea (Rose Byrne). As Thomas starts to fall for Bea, their blossoming relationship complicates his attempts to be rid of Peter once and for all.
"Peter Rabbit" is a fun family film. The battles between the McGregor men and Peter get kind of mean-spirited at times, but the violence is mostly of the cartoon variety. The script by Will Gluck (who also directs) and Zareh Nalbandian is mostly well-written and cleverer than your average anthropomorphic animal tale. The voice cast is very good, Byrne's winning presence naturally enhances enjoyment of the film and the usually serious Gleeson proves surprisingly adept at comedy, especially the physical kind. Peter's personality and imperfections remind me of Surly Squirrel in the "Nut Job" movies, but Peter's a little bit sweeter. In the end, despite some uneven storytelling, Peter learns some lessons, as do the main live-action characters, and Movie Fans get a pretty enjoyable hour and a half at the movies. "B+"