I just watched Peter Rabbit (2018) and I really loved it. I have a soft spot for light films like this, ones that don't aim too high but know exactly how to make you smile. Easy and sweet. The rabbit is a troublemaker, sure, but the whole thing still feels warm and genuinely fun.
On the production side, the CGI is used really effectively here. Not just visually polished, but actually blended into the real world. The interactions between the human characters and the animals feel natural, which is something a lot of similar films get wrong. A big part of that comes down to the performances, especially Domhnall Gleeson as Thomas McGregor and Rose Byrne as Bea. They do a great job selling their reactions to characters who simply weren't there on set.
The animal characters are the heart of the film. They're not just visually cute, they have real, distinct personalities. My favorite is Benjamin, the big rabbit who is a little more cautious, a bit lazy, and somehow the most relatable one in the bunch. His dynamic with Peter is one of the more consistent sources of humor. And then there's the rooster with his absurdly enthusiastic morning energy. Small role, but memorable.
Story-wise, the conflict is simple: a turf war between humans and animals over a garden. That simplicity is what makes the film easy to enjoy across all ages. After the longtime Mr. McGregor passes away, the garden is inherited by Thomas, an ambitious city guy who's a bit rigid and clearly not ready for rural chaos. His transition from London life to the countryside is one of the funnier running threads in the film.
The B-story, a budding relationship between Thomas and Bea, is sweet without being heavy-handed. Their chemistry feels light and never tries to take over the film, but it gives the story some warmth. Bea also functions as a kind of bridge between the human and animal worlds. Thematically, she represents the harmony the film is quietly reaching for.
What's interesting is that the film doesn't try to avoid clichés. It leans into them instead. You've got the city-guy-goes-to-countryside arc, an enemies-to-sort-of-friends dynamic, and small conflicts that escalate into full absurdity. But all of it is executed with genuine self-awareness. The film knows what clichés are, and makes fun of it. The comic timing is sharp too, occasionally edging into territory that feels a little bold for a family film.
One extra bit of context: Peter Rabbit originated from Beatrix Potter's classic children's book, first published in 1902. This adaptation takes significant creative liberties with tone and humor. It's faster, more slapstick, and more modern than the original, which was quieter and carried more of a moral undertone.
In the end, Peter Rabbit has no ambitions of being important, and that's exactly where its charm lives. It knows what it's there to do: entertain, get some laughs, and leave you feeling good. It pulls that off pretty well.
