English writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter’s beloved human-like bunny makes his live-action CGI big-screen debut* in the eponymous* “Peter Rabbit.”

Director Will Gluck, who wrote the screenplay along with Rob Lieber, quickly establishes the film’s slapstick* tone right from the start, as a quartet of singing birds encircling the iconic Columbia Pictures “Torch Lady” end up as the dazed victims of a hit-and-run by an out-of-control Peter Rabbit (James Corden).

Refusing to take notice of the fate met by his late father, Peter continues his regular raids* on the vegetable garden of Old Mr. McGregor (Sam Neill), with some trusty back-up from his sisters, triplets Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki) and Cotton-tail (Daisy Ridley), as well as loyal cousin Benjamin Bunny (Colin Moody).

When the old man suddenly drops dead of a heart attack during one of Peter’s raids, Peter and his fellow woodland creatures do some serious celebrating. But the festivities prove short-lived with the arrival of McGregor’s heir*, nephew Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson).

A former manager at London’s famed Harrod’s department store, Thomas plans to sell the property in order to finance the opening of his own toy shop, but he hadn’t counted on distractions from both Peter and his kind human caretaker, artist Bea (Rose Byrne).

An anticipated, prolonged standoff* follows, paving the way for many repeated gags but little in the way of any important plot progression.

Even as Corden proves to be a smart voice-casting choice, ably conveying the essential goodness behind the less-than-exemplary* behavior, the character fails to strike the balance between naughty and bad-ass*.

But if it may not sound quite right, the production certainly looks great, with the natural live-action backdrops (filmed in England’s Lake District as well as in Sydney, Australia) doing justice to Potter’s world, while the CGI hits photorealistic fresh heights — right down to the rabbit fur that sways in those gentle country breezes*.