PETER RABBIT 2

Australia/UK, 2021, 93 minutes, Colour.

Rose Byrne, Domhnal Gleeson, David Oyelowo. Voices of: James Corden, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Lenny James, Ewen Leslie, Damon Herriman, Rupert Degas, Colin Moody.
Directed by Will Gluck.

A couple of years ago, one of Beatrix Potter’s most beloved characters, Peter Rabbit, appeared on our screens, along with his cousin, Benjamin Bunny, his sisters Mopsy and Flopsy, and Cottontail (who this time discovers jellybeans and the effects of a sugar high). The rabbits and various friends live on a farm which is now owned by Thomas and Bea McGregor? (Rose Byrne and Domhnal Gleeson). Bea has written a book, Peter Rabbit, which is a commercial success and is preparing sequels.

So, this is a combination of animated characters in a live action film. And, they all blend very well indeed.

Peter can be somewhat mischievous, and Thomas has his suspicions, even misinterpreting Peter’s kind deeds to save Thomas’s tomatoes. However, when Bea discusses the sequels with her smarmy publisher, Nigel Basil Jones, played smoothly by David Oyelowo, they decide to see Peter as something of a villain, bad seed. Actually, Peter is rather exhilarated by seeing the huge posters for the book and, falls into temptation as a villain.

By and large, everything is going well at the farm, an entertaining array of animals from a foppish Fox who was persuaded not to chase the others but to go jogging! to a rather slowly enunciating deer. And, there is a fine array of actors voicing the animals, James Corden repeating his role as Peter Rabbit, but Australian voices (the film was made in New South Wales), Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Ewen Leslie, Damon Herriman.

While the live action focuses on Bea and her books, visits to the publisher, his insinuating charm to get his own way and ideas, Thomas suspicious, and plans to have Peter and the animals dressed in jeans, go to the beach, actually go into space… But, to our relief, these stories do not eventuate.

But, there is a lot of improbable action is all the animals combine to use their skills to Ward off their enemies!

The animated action focuses on Peter being beguiled by a sinister rabbit, Barnabas (voiced by Lenny James) claiming to be his father’s friend, but scrounging on the city streets, grooming Peter to participate in a market heist, the robbery of all the contents of the stand for dried fruits! Peter succumbs to temptation, persuades all the farm animals to participate, leading to pandemonium at the market, a successful theft, but, no honour among thieves, Barnabas and his assistant cats making off with the loot.

Peter has to face himself and be humble about it, even talking to Thomas and Bea, so that there is peace back on the farm and reconciliation all round.

A pleasant, light entertainment.

1. The popularity of the Tales of Beatrix Potter? The original illustrations? Transferred to the 21st-century screen? The popularity of the original Peter Rabbit film?

2. The blend of live action and animation? Seamless? Interactions between the human characters and the animated characters? The musical score?

3. The appeal to children? The appeal to adults?

4. The Gloucestershire setting, the Mc Gregor farm, the vegetables, Thomas and his prize tomatoes? The sharing of the farm with all the animals? Thomas, his love for Bea? His background as an orphan? And his continued suspicions and roussing on Peter? Bea, love for the farm, her writing, the publication of the book, further stories? Her fondness for Peter and the animals?

5. Peter, his family, his sisters, his cousin, Cottontail – and his mischief? Their life on the farm, Cottontail and the jellybeans and the sugar high? The other animals, the Fox and his being urged to jog, the porcupine and her prickles, the badger, the deer…? Audiences enjoying the range of animals?

6. The voice cast, British and Australian voices? The creation of the characters through voice? The narration?

7. Peter and his wanting to protect the tomatoes, Thomas misjudging him, roussing on him? The visit to the market, everybody going?

8. In Gloucester, the market, the range of stalls, Peter and his getting lost, the encounter with Barnabas, Barnabas and Peter’s father, the friendship, the two cats? Testing Peter, his abilities, the possibility for stealing, their headquarters? The temptation? Peter and his returning home, enlisting the help of everyone?

9. The setting up of the stealing of the dried fruit? Everyone at the market, everybody with their task? The animosity towards the farmers? The attack, knocking everybody out? The comic style? The young girl, the dried fruit, her eyes for the boy in the store across? Distracting her? Getting the dried fruit, the reindeer and his help? Into the truck? Barnabas and the cats going off, abandoning the farm animals?

10. Barnabas revealing the truth, setting Peter up, heartless?

11. Peter, his reaction, freeing himself, reconciliation with all his friends, the comeuppance of Barnabas and the cats?

12. The live-action story, Bea and her stories, the smooth talk of Nigel Basil Jones? The phone, Cottontail suspicious? The visit to his office, his smooth talk, finances, sequels? His suggestions, the animals wearing jeans, at the beach, in space? Bea following up, the stories and sketches? Thomas and his suspicions? The visit to the board meeting, the commercialisation of the stories, Bea and her reaction?

13. Thomas, Peter talking with him, learning the truth, the reconciliation? Thomas and Bea, Peter talking?

14. Everybody going home, no more suspicions, happy on the farm?