WolfGifford

I took my two kids (5 and 8) to a preview of this. Usually, I enjoy a good kids movie - this was not a good movie. It tries to do for Easter what the Santa Clause movies did for Christmas, but misses the mark by light years. The main problem being that the iconography, the sights and sounds that characterise Christmas, just aren't there with Easter - and this leads to pretty much everything being forced, or coming across as a lame attempt to emulate the more expansive holiday period. None of the characters (inc EB) are very pleasant and attempt to have his story match that of the male lead is clumsy and obvious. On top of that, nothing interesting actually happens - characters don't develop, there is no sense of challenge or danger at any point and even the one possible exciting element (the Pink Beret's) are given nothing to do. OK, so both my kids said they enjoyed it, but I think I can put that down to the popcorn and chocolate they had. If they really like a movie it sticks with them, we'd barely got in the car before they'd moved onto another subject. 'Hop' is a lame rip off of a more successful movie franchise, don't be fooled by the fact that it's from a major animation studio. It is, quite simply, boring and unengaging for both kids and adults alike.

I am a huge fan of the original. Let's get that out of the way. I was well aware with how much people hated this and how 'bad' it was supposed to be when I sat down to watch this - so I have to admit that I was rather surprised with how much I enjoyed the experience. It is very different to the original version - it's polar opposite in fact, in that the 6 in this version is always one step behind 2 and is much more submissive than the Patrick McGoohan character. This change in character seems to have irked some people, but I didn't want a straight remake of the original and I found the whole concept here to be, whilstnot exactly fresh, intriguing enough to keep me interested and stimulating enough (especially Ruth Wilson) to have me hooked for six hours. What made the biggest difference to me was the fact that the ending made sense, it allowed the viewer to tie the knots and draw and out ones own conclusions, rather than just confuse and frustrate as did the ending to the 1967 version. The explanation was fascinating and the conclusion was very through provoking. If you do head into this, go in with an open mind and know in advance that it is very unlike the original. I believe that that will make all the difference. Like 'Lost', it doesn't make full sense, cannot be simply explained, but it's the journey that counts. I enjoyed the journey, was entertained for 6 hours and that means that this series (in the words of 'Hunter') "works for me".

My wife and I have been watching this for several weeks now, I keep putting off watching the next episode, but always find myself back there... Why? Because this has to be one of the most uncomfortable viewing experiences in years. Don't get me wrong, it's good (make that very good), it's just, well, ikky viewing. The characters are all fully fleshed out and well acted, and for a lot of show, you can associate with them, and just as you settle into a character they do something that makes the whole thing very very uncomfortable... The whole series is like a trainwreck, the brakes squeal, the characters react, there is smash, then the pieces are scattered and we move through the wreckage picking over the pieces and uncovering more. It's challenging viewing for sure, and never predictable - and that is what makes it such a great show. It's like life, it doesn't play by the rules and throws multiple curve balls out - many of which will hit you in the face. Tara's alters are a disturbing bunch (especially now we in later series with the introduction of Gimmy) and whilst providing some entertainment, you find yourelf observing them with almost fear - what will they do next? And, for the record, I find Buck very distasteful and actively don't like the character. For me to get so engaged in a show and have such strong feelings about a character is very rare. Chris In The Morning (I cannot think of him any other way) is also great as Tara's husband, and I was on tenterhooks for several episodes waiting for his reaction to events - the result (like so much in the show) was quite, well, ikky!!! Overall, recommended. You may not exactly have fun with this, but if you can take it, you will at least end each episode thankful for the normality of your own life.