This week’s film review is the delightful adaptation of the children’s book written by Beatrix Potter in his mischievous and troublesome adventures in Mr. McGregor’s garden.
The live action/computer animated film Peter Rabbit, directed by Will Gluck, released in February this year features star actors Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson, and the voice talents of James Corden, Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki and Colin Moody. Peter Rabbit, his cousin Benjamin and his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, spend their time getting into trouble as each day they break into Mr. McGregor’s garden and steal his vegetables. Their human friend Bea (Rose Byrne), who also cares for them is oblivious to their mischief, and always defends them to Mr. McGregor.
However, the film takes an unexpected turn as Mr. McGregor suffers a heart attack and dies, leaving his entire estate to his great nephew, Thomas: an obsessive control freak from London (Domhnall Gleeson).
After being fired from his job at Harrod’s in London, Thomas reluctantly heads to his new estate to check it out. When Thomas meets Bea and they have an instant connection, it becomes an all-out war between Thomas and the rabbits. Once again, Bea is oblivious to the fact that the rabbits and all their animal friends continue to steal from Thomas’ garden, and the rabbits have no intentions of sharing their friend Bea with anyone.
Peter Rabbit has grossed over $300 million worldwide and is the seventh-highest grossing film this year. Within the first few minutes, it was easy to see why. The film opens with birds singing before Peter leads his mischievous friends into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Soon enough, Rose Byrne makes her entrance as Bea. I have seen this woman in several films, yet the most memorable for me is her part as the conniving, scheming queen bee friend from Bridesmaids,
“Oh hi, I’m Helen!” I just couldn’t resist throwing in the link below.
The original ‘Peter Rabbit’ book by Beatrix Potter.
Another striking feature of Peter Rabbit is the irony of the dialogue and storyline. Beatrix Potter’s children’s book depicts a naughty little rabbit and his friends. Despite being traumatised by the loss of their father to Mr. McGregor, they continue to steal from his garden. An innocent enough storyline. If I am honest, the feature film is anything but innocent. You have Peter (voiced by Corden): with his dry wit and sarcastic personality and his sidekick Benjamin (Moody). Meanwhile, you have his three sisters. Cotton-tail (Ridley) is out there and just plain crazy, while Flopsy (Robbie) and Mopsy (Debicki) constantly fight over who gets to do what on the basis of, “I’m the oldest”. The creators of the film essentially made a sequel to the classic story and tailored it to the hearts and laughs of the twenty-first century.
The combination of Peter, Benjamin, his sisters, their menagerie of animal friends with a perfectionist, controlling human to antagonise, an innocent artist to love them, along with the voice talents, realistic animation and soundtrack creates the perfect comedy for all ages.
One more aspect of this film is the amazing potential it has for retailers. Just imagine how many more copies of Beatrix Potter’s book have been sold since its release.
Furthermore, the toy stores will now gain a vast array of plush dolls from the film for fans to collect.
With each of these factors in mind, my word on Peter Rabbit is 4/5 stars, and I highly recommend it to adults looking for a fun couple of hours to spend with the kids, or just a funny film you can enjoy again and again.
When it is released on DVD, this one will definitely be added to my collection.
