Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’: How ‘We Bare Bears’ Shaped Its Unique Vision

Pixar’s latest release, “Hoppers”, isn’t just another colorful animated adventure. It’s a distinct stylistic departure for the studio, and a showcase for director Daniel Chong, best known for creating Cartoon Network’s “We Bare Bears.” While Pixar has experimented with visual approaches in recent years – the anime influences of “Turning Red,” the painterly aesthetic of “Luca,” and the fantastical world-building of “Elemental” – “Hoppers” represents a bolder leap, one deeply rooted in Chong’s previous work and a desire to capture the feeling of nature, rather than a literal representation of it.

The film centers on Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), a nature-loving student who undergoes a unique transformation: her consciousness is transferred into a robotic beaver, allowing her to communicate with animals and attempt to save their habitat. This premise, described as a blend of “Avatar” and “Zootopia,” immediately signals a departure from Pixar’s more conventional narratives. But it’s the film’s visual style that’s generating the most buzz. Instead of the hyperrealism that has become a hallmark of Pixar’s animation, “Hoppers” embraces an impressionistic approach, softening surfaces, controlling colors, and creating a world that feels handcrafted and tactile.

According to early press discussions with Chong and character art director Anna Scott, the intention wasn’t simply to create a visually different film, but to evoke a subjective experience of the natural world. This approach is a direct reflection of Chong’s background. Before helming “Hoppers,” he spent years developing the distinctive look and feel of “We Bare Bears,” a series that, despite its simplicity, built a surprisingly vivid and emotionally resonant world around its three bear protagonists.

“We Bare Bears,” currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+, follows Grizz, Panda, and Ice – three adopted bear brothers navigating the complexities of human society in a realistic, yet slightly askew, version of the San Francisco Bay Area. The show’s charm lies in its ability to blend quirky humor with genuine emotional depth, exploring themes of family, belonging, and the challenges of fitting in. Episodes often hinge on the tension between the bears’ animal instincts and their desire to integrate into human culture, a dynamic that’s echoed in “Hoppers”’ exploration of Mabel’s experience living as a robotic beaver.

The show’s signature “Bear Stack” – the bears’ habit of standing on top of each other to appear larger and more imposing – is just one example of the series’ playful visual style. “We Bare Bears” also features a memorable supporting cast, including a socially awkward Bigfoot and a narcissistic koala, adding layers of comedic texture to the show’s already rich world. But at its core, the series is about the bond between the three brothers, a relationship that’s both hilarious and deeply touching. Episodes like “Burrito,” which uses a seemingly silly premise to reveal a poignant backstory, demonstrate the show’s ability to seamlessly blend humor and heart.

This sensibility carries over into “Hoppers.” The film’s quirky humor and commitment to portraying the less-than-flattering aspects of animal behavior – all delivered with affection – are hallmarks of Chong’s creative vision. The film doesn’t shy away from the realities of the natural world, including the “pond rules” of predator and prey, but it also challenges those rules through Mabel’s intervention, sparking a story about environmentalism and social awakening.

The decision to embrace a more stylized look for “Hoppers” represents a conscious effort to move beyond the 3D realism that Pixar has traditionally favored. The result is a film that feels both familiar and fresh, retaining the expressive character animation that Pixar is known for while introducing a new level of visual texture and emotional resonance. It’s a testament to Chong’s unique perspective and his ability to bring a distinctive voice to one of the world’s most beloved animation studios. As one reviewer noted, “Hoppers” feels like Pixar by way of a creator whose career isn’t exclusively tied to the studio, injecting a refreshing dose of mischief and emotional gravitas into the Pixar formula.

“Hoppers” is currently in theaters, offering audiences a chance to experience this new direction for Pixar and a glimpse into the creative mind of Daniel Chong, a director who has successfully translated the charm and heart of “We Bare Bears” to the big screen.