Live action and animation crossovers have come a long way.
Technology has progressed far beyond the dancing penguins in Mary Poppins or even the slam dunking Looney Tunes in Space Jam.
We’ve reached a point where the line between computer-generated imagery and real, in-the-flesh people is barely discernible.
New children’s film Peter Rabbit is the gold standard in animation.
Each of the bunny and farmyard characters is photo-real, only slightly stylised for effect.
The film follows the rollicking adventures of the titular character and his family, based on the ever-popular Beatrix Potter illustrations and storybooks.
British TV host, comedian, actor and sometimes-singer James Corden voices Peter Rabbit, the star of the show.
He’s a rambunctious rabbit, who often throws caution to the wind as he leads his crew on a series of outrageous escapades.
The film, directed by Will Gluck (Annie, Easy A), centres on the bunnies’ efforts to win back Mr McGregor’s garden.
Domhnall Gleeson (About Time) plays McGregor, desperate to rid his property of the pesky rabbit clan.
Aussie Rose Byrne plays Bea – effectively a representation of Beatrix Potter herself – who is somewhat of a mother hen and champion of the bunny family.
Peter Rabbit is a great, fun time for the family.
The kids will thrive on the heavy dose of slapstick action – think Home Alone meets the live-action 101 Dalmatians – while the adults will enjoy some of the clever, self-deprecating dialogue.
The voice cast is full of familiar – if invisible – faces.
Margot Robbie (I, Tonya) plays middle triplet bunny Flopsy and also acts as the narrator, Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby) voices eldest bunny triplet Mopsy while Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) rounds out the trio as Cottontail.
Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, Rachel Ward, Sia, David Wenham and Ewen Leslie also lend their vocal talents to the movie, which was largely shot in Australia.
In fact, Camden’s Macquarie Grove Road bridge is easily spotted in one of the film’s early action sequences.
Take the kids to see Peter Rabbit – it’s a winner.
