Although Zootopia looked like just another anthropomorphic animated kids movie from its trailers, the movie certainly had more to it than the public expected. This Disney movie even touched on some serious concepts hidden in between its gripping plot and rather stunning animation. This review will include some spoilers, so be wary if you haven’t seen the film.
Zootopia follows the bubbly and optimistic Judy Hopps as she works her way to becoming a police officer despite her friends and even her parents telling her that she couldn’t do so because she was a bunny. Right from the get go the movie brings up working hard to strive for your dreams even when discriminated for being yourself. Even after becoming the first “prey” to become a police officer, she still faces negativity from all of the larger and more intimidating “predator” officers. To include such a concept, especially right from the beginning of the film all the way to the end, is not only ambitious but a great lesson that is handled very efficiently and creatively.
Later in the film some predators start to go “savage” which causes a divide between the “prey” and “predator”. Hopps is thrown into the chaos as the one assigned to the case, paired with a fox named Nick Wilde. Nick is a slick, snarky fox who first ridiculed Hopps but soon grows attached and helps solve the case. Through the entirety of the case the “prey” and “predator” duo of Hopps and Wilde addresses the discrimination theme in a creative manner while building up to their close interest and trust in each other. Wilde also faces many character-altering events that bring for some expertly handled character development.
I couldn’t write this review without mentioning Shakira’s cameo as well as all of the unique supporting characters. Every new character the Hopps-Wilde duo run into during the case have distinct personalities that match the animal they represent, giving the movie some serious creative bonus points. Shakira, represented by a super star gazelle, sings the theme song for the film, “Try Everything.” The theme song is an uplifting tune that encourages the listener to pursue their dreams and to try everything even if they face failure, similar to Hopps’ plight in the film.
Zootopia is an appealing and gripping film full of plot twists that shocked even the best predictors. It’s a breath of fresh air for the tedious anthropomorphic films that seem to be churned out of animation studios on the daily.
8/10
Hannah Makholm // Head of Graphics
