MOVIE TITLE: Zootopia
DIRECTORS: Byron Howard and Rich Moore
YEAR: 2016
GENRE: Children’s Animation
RATING: PG for comic mischief
GRADE: Extra Credit
In a world where anthropomorphic animals reign, little bunny
Judy Hops dreamed of being a Zootopia police officer and making a difference
ever since she was a little kid. Everyone from her carrot farming parents to a
wise cracking fox named Nick told her that her dreams were worthless and
settling for less was the only way to live. Even as a meter maid, Judy is
determined to prove that no dream is too far out of reach and any case is
solvable. She even decides to go rogue and solve a case involving fourteen
missing predators without help from her fellow police cohorts. It starts out as
simple lead following (and conning Nick) and evolves into a conspiracy that
affects the entire animal kingdom.
When giving this movie high praise, one must point out the
elephant in the room. No, not the one with the trunk and tusks. I’m talking
about the themes of prejudice and police corruption. In the real world, it
means non-white criminals will be given stiffer penalties than white ones
despite the severity and circumstances of the crime. In the world of Zootopia,
it’s the same racial clash, but with predators and prey. Predators are labeled
as savages and criminals while the preys are labeled as automatically innocent
and sweet. The makers of this movie were obviously trying to teach younger
viewers a lesson in loving and accepting each other despite our differences.
It’s an admirable lesson and an important one in today’s modern age with the Ferguson , Missouri
The other message of the movie is to never give up on your
hopes and dreams no matter how tough things get. As someone who aspires to be a
professional author in a tightly competitive market, I always love it when this
message is sent loud and clear. Judy Hops appreciated it too since overcoming
obstacles is her strongest feature. She’s a teeny-tiny bunny rabbit in a world
of hulking buffalos and rhinos. If she can make it in Zootopia, she can make it
anywhere. Settling for less seems like a good survival strategy, but surviving
isn’t the same as actually living. Walking about like a zombie to a stressful
job isn’t healthy and shouldn’t be encouraged by any authority figure.
I mentioned that the animals were cute and cuddly, right?
Well, it’s not just a great way to attack the theme of prejudice, but it’s also
a good for getting those cutesy-wutesy emotions out in the open. I have tons of
cats and two lovable dogs living with me, so I know how important it is to show
them love and affection. One of my favorite things to call an animal is a
“pie”. Sometimes I’ll attach it on the end of my pets’ names. My Springer
Spaniel Bassett Hound mix is called Maggie-Pie. My little Schipperke is called
Willem-Pie. The elderly brown kitty that’s currently sleeping on my bed with
new age music in the background is called Smokey-Pie. Yes, I know animals
aren’t actually dessert pastries, but they don’t seem to mind the affection. In
fact, they welcome it. So would it be too out of line if I called the characters
Judy-Pie and Nicky-Pie? They’d probably take it as species profiling, but
they’ll come around once they get their belly rubs.
Despite the fact that this is a PG-rated Disney movie, it’s
one all age groups should see. There are so many reasons to love it, including
ones I haven’t outlined in this review. I don’t want to outline too much,
because that would lead to spoilers and spoilers take the motivation away. Go
buy a ticket and see this wonderful movie in the theaters. If not, you could
wait for it to come out on Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital format. If you’re not
smiling and giddy by the time this movie is over, check your pulse. Five stars
for a movie that was more than just a lovey-dovey parading of animals. It’s a
movie that keeps hope alive even after crushing politics leave us all desolate
and depressed.
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