Leave it to Disney and their brilliant animation team and writers to come up with a story and concept that not only speaks a beautiful message to children about following their dreams no matter the obstacles put forth in front of them but also speaks to us as adults. I think the timeliness of Zootopia is perfect in so many ways. I think it should be required watching for our Presidential hopefuls. Warning, spoilers ahead…
Sometimes I’m not sure if animated movies of late (Inside/Out, Big Hero 6and The LEGO Movie to name a few) are meant solely to entertain children or teach adults life lessons in a dazzling and visual way? Zootopiatells the story of a bunny named Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), who defies all the odds and becomes the first bunny to ever be on the Zootopia police force. The metropolis known as Zootopia, nice play on words of the fictional Utopia, the perfect place that was romanticized by Sir Thomas More. Think of Zootopia as a melting pot of different sets of animals both prey and predator, living in harmony with one another. That is until a series of disappearances disrupts that harmony and something much deeper and darker surfaces in the wake of these disappearances.
Unfortunately for Officer Hopps, one of her biggest (literally and figuratively) obstacles comes from her boss, Chief Bogo, (a bull voiced by Idris Elba). Chief Bogo doesn’t believe that the “tiny” bunny can handle life as a crime fighter. Instead he reduces Judy to meter maid duties. It’s here where she meets a sly fox named Nick (voiced by Jason Bateman). Nick is a hustler who uses his wits to survive on the streets of Zootopia. At first Judy and Nick are adversaries but after Judy makes a promise to a wife of one of the missing mammals, it’s Nick’s hustling ways that will help crack the case.
Predator and prey working together to solve a mystery becomes a symbolic metaphor of what happens when two “opposing” sides can set aside any differences whether it be natural or unnatural in selection. There are so many important messages that come across in this film. There are messages about female empowerment, racial tolerance and even tackles the subject of bullying. It’s a very timely film given the world we live in today. Perhaps it’s most important message however revolved around being inclusive. No more judging others for the simple reason that we’re all different. All that truly matters is how we see ourselves and learning how we are only limited by own imagination and the obstacles we place in our way.
Zootopia is beautiful film for the entire family to enjoy filled with many visual gags and inside jokes like Sloths working at the DMV or paying homage to a film like The Godfather with a Mr. Big character (who happens to be a mouse), channeling his inner Marlon Brando as Don Corleone. What a treat this film is. I’m confident this will make my top 10 by years end. It’s an instant classic in the truest Disney way.
Directed by: Byron Howard, Rich Moore & Jared Bush
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Alba, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence & Bonnie Hunt
PG 108 Mins
ZOOTOPIA – (***** Out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
