The producers are bragging that this is done by the same people that gave us the excellent Despicable Me.

Not true. The film is merely co-written by one of its writers.

Hop is directed by Tim Hill, who did the awful Alvin and the Chipmunks and Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties.

-- Local show times, theaters, trailer.

Mixing animation with real life, Hop casts James Marsden as Fred O’Hare, a 30-something, still living with mom and dad loser who hooks up with the Easter Bunny heir apparent. The bunny wants to play drums, not inherit dad’s business. So he runs away from home which is on — yes — Easter Island.

Hop features the voices of Russell Brand — who also has an in-person cameo — as the bunny, Hank Azaria and Hugh Laurie. Elizabeth Perkins and the always superb Gary Cole are wasted as Fred’s parents.

No need to egg me on with this one, I’ll “hop” right to the point. Very few kids will be close to entertained by this one. Your small children will be bored to tears, and you can be assured they’ll fuss and fidget all the way through.

Parents, all that will keep you awake is their restlessness.

To put it succinctly: “Hop” is brain death.

Mr. Movie rating: 1/2 star

Rated PG for some mature themes. It opens Friday, April 1 at Regal’s Columbia Center 8 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.

5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.