复活节主题卡通片《跳跳兔》

    The animation/live-action “Hop” — from the producing-writing team behind last year’s “Despicable* Me,” is directed by Tim Hill, of “Alvin and the Chipmunks*” fame.

    Its narrative is lifted from Christmas movies, stop-motion specials and Roald Dahl*; its CGI renderings are no better or worse than last month’s or next month’s animation family outing. Its vocal talent — led by Russell Brand and Hugh Laurie — is suitably star-studded.

    The only thing missing is any real wonder, imagination or comic verve*.

    Brand voices E.B., teenage rabbit heir* to the noble mantle* of Easter Bunny, currently held by his tradition-bound father (Laurie). But E.B.’s dream is to be a rock drummer, not run the massive, Wonka-esque* candy factory manned by worker chicks deep below Easter Island — you got it, with the statues — so the Easter Bunny can send treat-filled baskets to children everywhere once a year. Just to keep the yuletide* inspiration upfront, the gig even involves sleigh*-like transport led by floating chicks.

    The live-action part comes when E.B. flees destiny* — through a rabbit hole — for Hollywood, running into Fred (James Marsden), a jobless slacker* house-sitting a mansion. Their destinies cross into each other when E.B. tries out for a TV talent show, and Fred believes he can become the Easter Bunny.

    The Pink Berets, a trio of dart-blowing* bunny guards sent to bring back E.B., are an overused sight gag, since they never become actual characters.

    Chelsea Handler is wasted in a humorless cameo* as a prospective employer of Fred’s. And why is it that the piece’s villain* is a coup-organizing Speedy Gonzales-accented* factory chick (voiced by Hank Azaria), while his boss rabbit speaks like a posh* Brit*?

    “Hop” doesn’t mean to offend.

    It’s basically an Easter egg hunt where the organizers aren’t interested in a difficult or surprising task for participants, who in this case will be mostly an under-10 audience ready to pester* parents before, during and after the movie for candy.

     (SD-Agencies)