Peter Rabbit Movie Review: This Furry Tale is a Delightful Flick Bound to Entertain Both Kids and Adults

The summer vacations are here, the kids are gonna be restless and we do need to find something to keep them entertained. So here comes Peter Rabbit, a live-action family entertainer about talking rabbits and meddling humans. Directed by Will Gluck, the movie stars Domhnall Gleeson and Rose Byrne, with the voice talents of James Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley and Elizabeth Debicki among others. Here's our review of Peter Rabbit.

Peter Rabbit (James Corden) and his family of three sisters (Robbie, Debicki and Ridley) and cousin (Colin Moody), live in a picturesque village in England's Lake District. They are at odds with their grumpy human neighbour Mr McGregor, as they often raid his fields to avenge for him killing their father. When the old man dies of a heart attack, Peter thinks the worst is over. But his relief is short-lived when McGregor's cleanliness-obsessed nephew Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson) inherits the house and continues the war with the rabbits. Things take a really nasty turn when Thomas falls for their other neighbour, a rabbit-loving artist Bea (Rose Byrne) and Peter couldn't handle it.

Peter Rabbit is based on the tales written by Beatrix Potter for children. Now I have heard that the movie has found some hatred in the West for changing many things about the characters. Don't know if it was for the better or for the worse, but I have not read the stories and so was able to enjoy the movie for what it is - a delightful summer entertainer aimed at the younger audiences. The purists may be right in criticising the movie, but Peter Rabbit has enough moments to keep you amused throughout with some fantastic work of animation and performances, both from the voice cast and the real actors.

If you are someone like me, who have grown up on a steady diet of Tom and Jerry cartoons, Home Alone movies, Babe and the guilty pleasure of Baby's Day Out, you will root for the fun and frolic of Peter Rabbit. Sure, the plot isn't exactly earth-shattering; it will remind you of Mousehunt (two simpletons trying to get rid of a mouse from their inherited house) with a dash of Wes Anderson's Rushmore (a teen fighting with an older man for the affections of a lady). The movie is quite predictable in its pattern, as you know how things are going to end here.

But the journey in between is what keeps you glued to your seat despite the recycled plot elements. The humans aren't all that bad and the rabbits aren't exactly innocent as their eyes want you to see. Though the movie favours the animals a lot, it does show that they are bullies too and do punish them for that. That said, the much talked about controversial scene involving a blackberry (the fruit, not the phone) could have been avoided, as it shows that rabbits can go to extent of murdering someone if needed. Or is it because it has been pointed out to us?

There are instances of laugh-out loud humour and cutesy moments that will keep you smiling throughout. There is something for everyone here when it comes to humour. The kids will love the slapstick comedy, but some jokes are reserved for the adults and are bound to go over the children's heads. Like a deer getting frozen by the headlights of a car or a fox having his walk of shame after a wild party. When it comes Will Gluck's best works, it may not be as smart as Easy A, but it is so much better than some of his recent efforts.

The special effects are really good in rendering the animals so life-like, be it Peter and his family's flurry look to the porcupine's quills. We have seen similar VFX work in movies like The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast, and Peter Rabbit is a proud addition to this list when it comes to merging computer-generated imagery and real actors. We won't blame you if you go all 'awww!' on seeing the rabbits' ears droop! Or laugh when four birds go all rap on you.

Even more endearing is the chemistry between the rabbits, and that's more to do with amazing voicework of Corden and co. James Corden manages to bring the mischief into the voice of the brash but likeable Peter. But the real scene-stealers are Robbie, Debicki and Ridley who play his triplet sisters, arguing among each other as to who is the oldest among them. Am really rooting for a spin-off, specifically focussing on Mopsy, Flopsy and the badass Cottontail.

Even the human actors give their best to their bonhomie. Domhnall Gleeson is adorable as the vermin-hating Thomas, who is not as bad as the rabbits make him out to be. It is not easy playing a character who is at the receiving end of all the pranks and getting pushed here and there. But Gleeson is a good sport letting the rabbits be the hero. As for all the shoving around, he did a fair bit of that in The Last Jedi.

The character of Bea is a cake-walk for an actress like Byrne. She helps in making Bea so sweet that you can't blame Thomas and the rabbits fighting over her. Their love story is also endearing. Sam Neill is menacing in his cameo as the old man McGregor.

Yay!

- Sweet movie that works for both kids and adults

- Humour works in most parts

- The incredible voice-cast

- CGI is top-notch

- Gleeson and Byrne

Nay!

- Derivative storytelling

- Some kids might find humans attacking rabbits scary

- Certain tonal issues

- Fans of the books may end up disagreeing with the movie.

Final thoughts

Peter Rabbit is a delightfully entertaining watch for both adults and kids, with some topnotch CGI and humorous scenes. Give it a try!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 06, 2018 12:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).