Walt Disney Pictures presents their
latest animated feature Zootopia. Zootopia is directed by Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt), Rich Moore (Wreck-it-Ralph)
and Jared Bush, who is also a co-writer. Along with Mr. Bush (Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero), Steve
Johnson (Wreck-it-Ralph) wrote the
screenplay. Zootopia takes place in a
creative world in which animals have evolved into civilized beings that walk
upright, wear clothes, work jobs, and are integrated in a multicultural
society.
Our two main characters are Officer
Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin from Once
Upon a Time) and con-artist Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman from Arrested Development). Hopps is a bunny
from the country who has wanted to be a police officer ever since she was
little. One day, after a school presentation, her parents try to tell her that
no bunny has ever been a police officer. Young Judy responds, “Then I’ll just
have to be the first.” That kind of unwavering optimism leads Hopps to go to
the police academy and even graduate valedictorian. She then is assigned to
Zootopia; the big city. There she encounters con artist fox Nick Wilde. Nick
isn’t really a bad guy, but he is definitely someone that exploits his being
able to work the system. Judy catches Nick in a con and uses that against him
to get his help in a missing mammal case. From there the two follow threads of
a conspiracy that could destroy the society of Zootopia.
Some additional voices cast in Zootopia include: Idris Elba (Luther, Thor) as Chief Bogo, Jenny Slate (Obvious Child) as Assistant Mayor Bellweather, Nate Torrence (Supernatural episode “Just My
Imagination”) as Clawhauser, Academy Award Winner J.K. Simons (Whiplash) as Mayor Lionheart, Academy
Award Winner Octavia Spencer (The Help)
as Mrs. Otterton, Alan Tudyk (Firefly,
Wreck-it-Ralph) as Duke Weaselton,
and international singer Shakira as pop star Gazelle.
At face value, Zootopia is a fun and engaging feature that is appropriate for all
ages. Underneath, Zootopia is a
brilliant analogy for modern society. Several characters throughout the films
state, “We are what we are.” This is referring to the stereotypical traits for
each animal being the guide to how they should live their life. The argument of
these traits being biological and thus inescapable is a prevalent theme throughout
the film. Jason Bateman’s Nick is sarcastic and very funny and his cynical view
is quite entertaining. Audiences will connect very easily with Nick’s ideals
but should be striving to be more like Judy. Ginnifer Goodwin’s character of Judy Hopps is
great because she works both at face value being charismatic and cute, as well
as for the analogies in the film. She is the character that we want to show our
children. A character that refuses to be bound by her stereotype. A character
that instead of wishing to be bigger or stronger, uses the qualities she does
have in ways that surpass other’s expectations. She is a character that doesn’t
have all of the answers and does make mistakes, but also is unbreakable in her
resolve and optimism.
Zootopia
is many things. It is a buddy cop comedy in that two characters of opposite
attitudes are thrown together to work a case. It is an inspiring tale that
encourages to dream bigger than what you are. It is a conspiracy mystery. It is
an analogous look at modern social issues. And it is a clever animated comedy
with talking animals. This is what makes Disney Animated Features memorable and
magical.
The film is rated PG for action
scenes and themes of discrimination which are all in the subtext and thus is really
appropriate for all ages.
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