Entertainment : From the Front Row of the Balcony: Adults will enjoy 'Hop' more with a child

I watched "Hop" on Monday with the Palace matinee crowd.

I saw it the way movies are supposed to be watched: With a granddaughter on my lap.

At 18 months, Liana can't sit still for more than an hour (not unlike her grandfather), but she seemed interested in the characters of Hop. She also was sure to comment that each of the previews was "all done" when they ended.

While "Hop" is not a "Toy Story" or a "Shrek" it is worth seeing, and it's way better than either of the recent "Bear" movies, Brother or Yogi.

The Story

"Hop" is partly animated story about EB and Fred, two very different sons of very demanding fathers. Twenty years after their worlds first briefly intersect, EB and Fred meet again during their individual quests to find a life they truly enjoy. EB, of course, stands for Easter Bunny. Fred, an unemployed guy nearing age 30, faces an intervention from his own family as they try to get him to understand that it's time to get a job. EB goes to Hollywood and encounters Fred as he tries to determine whether or not he wants to continue his father's work. While he is away, the chicks at Easter Island, led by Carlos, are trying to replace the Easter Bunny with one of their own.

Why you should go

"Hop" is fun and creative. While not truly original (you get the feeling that the writers were inspired by the "Santa Clause" trilogy) it's clever and unique. The animation is fun to watch; the dialog fun to hear. Although the movie is rated PG for "mild rude humor" -- probably because it demonstrates one possible way jelly beans are made -- I do not recall anything that deserves more than a G-rating.

What you should know before you go

The Motion Picture Association of America should add one more rating to its system: K. In a K-rated movie, every adult should be accompanied by a kid. Some movies are just more fun to watch if you watch it with a kid. This is one of them. And if there was a K-rating, it may give more people a reason to invite a grandchild. But mine are busy; if you want to take a grandchild with you to "Hop," go get your own.