The term “classic” gets thrown about far too much for my liking and should be used seldom and in good taste. With that being said, a true classic in Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit was remade into a live-action adventure.
Directed by Will Gluck, Peter Rabbit tells the story of a very small yet extremely rebellious bunny aptly named Peter (James Corden) who refuses to stay out of Mr. McGregor’s (Sam Neill) garden. Along with his sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail (Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley respectively) and his brother Benjamin (Colin Moody), the gang constantly harass Mr. McGregor to the point he dies. After his property is willed to a spoiled nephew named Mr. Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) the gang faces an even bigger threat with his electric fences and secret traps.
Peter draws a special bond with a woman named Bea (Rose Byrne) who he looks up to as a motherly figure. That relationship gets tested as Bea, a lover of animals begins to grow closer to Thomas who tries to hide his disdain for animals. But for two people living in the countryside with very few people around (especially young people), their friendship was inevitable.
Peter along with the other animals enjoy adventure, vegetables, and in the end, learn a valuable lesson. The film was as nostalgic as it was enjoyable and the adult humor was impressive.
I give Peter Rabbit an 8.5 out of 10. It’s a safe bet if you’re looking for a family movie or just a reason to get the kids out. As a long-time fan of Beatrix Potter, I was hesitant when I received word of a live-action remake. But I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out.