Reelworm Speaks!- Zootopia Review

Reelworm Watches!

Zootopia

Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures

Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore

Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, Shakira

Warning! This review may contain Spoilers!

****

The Story: The film details the unlikely partnership between a rabbit police officer and a red fox con artist as they uncover a conspiracy that involves the disappearance of predator civilians within a mammalian utopia.

The Review: Only history will determine whether this film will be regarded as a masterpiece but as it stands now, this film works in a way that has not been seen in a good, long time. 

The animation, as per Disney, is top notch and full of realistic textures and wonderful colors. The animators really did their homework on animated fur and animals. 

The story is what everyone is talking about though. Zootopia mimics our world, in that it appears to be beings of different origins are living and working in harmony. Beneath the surface, beneath the surface though, lines between the different groups are still drawn. 

Even the police department falls under this. While it is not all made up of predators and an herbivore (a water buffalo) is Police Chief, they still have their own stereotypes, that being it is made up of big, tough, animals. Rhinos, Wolves, Elephants, Bears. A bunny rabbit doesn’t exactly fit in and the story does not shy away from that.

Disney’s whole schtick is dreams. The moral of almost every movie is follow your dreams. Don’t get Reelworm wrong, that is the ultimate moral of the film, but it is not an easily followed moral. Part of growing up, which is what Judy is doing, is learning that dreams do not always match up with reality. It is a long, hard road. When Judy gets to Zootopia, it is not the paradise she envisioned and she doubt’s whether her dream is even possible. We all know how it will end, but the lesson it teaches is really valuable: Dreams can come true…but it takes a lot of work and may not turn out quite the way you think. 

Both characters are from both sides of the animal coin and both have been on the receiving end of bigotry and prejudice and both Nick and Judy deal with it in their own way. The film is ultimately idealistic but both characters offer realistic ways of dealing with prejudice. To be honest…Nick’s may be the most prudent. 

That does not mean Judy Hopps is lacking in the character area. Zootopia is a departure from the “normal” Disney formula. One of Disney’s weaknesses has been its female characters. They have never been very strong. Not well developed personality-wise and often require the ‘prince’ to save them. This has improved lately with recent films such as Tangled and Frozen, but here in Zootopia, Judy breaks the mold. She isn’t looking for true love or trying to save her family’s farm. She is trying to be the best police officer she can be. She is a strong independent female. There is little doubt that eventually we will see a Judy doll and poster of her clad in a dress but never in the movie is she a skirt-clad princess. 

While romantic undertones may or may not be out of the question between Nick and Judy it is to the movies credit that they are not a romance. They are a team, partners. 

There is a twist at the end and to the movie’s credit it did surprise Reelworm, but it is not exactly ‘out of nowhere’ after seeing it, one is most likely to say: “Oh! That makes sense!” In other words, its not that much of a stretch. On the other hand, this may actually work as this is one of disney’s most grounded films, despite the fantastical environment. 

The movie does have a few faults and one of them is the city itself. The best scene in the whole movie is the arrival scene, when Judy rides on the train through Zootopia and we see the wide variety of biomes that make up the city and the wide variety of mammals that live there. Sahara Square, Tundra Town are all visually creative and we mirror Judy’s wonder when she rides the train.

And that’s it. 

The majority of the rest of the film, takes place in a generic cityscape that, inhabitants aside, wouldn't look much different from New York or Chicago. The few times that we visit other districts they are mostly just glanced over such as Tundra Town or with the Rainforest District, take place in darkness. Little Rodentia is conceptually creative, but its size aside, it looks just like a regular city neighborhood. They make up for it slightly in being creative in other ways, such as the cars, advertisements, and the wonderful characters and story. It won’t be denied that it is a bit of disappointment. This is why Reelworm really hopes this movie get’s an animated television show more than a sequel. A tv show would Zootopia to be more fully explored. 

Also, while Judy’s struggle feels real. The whole case solving portion seems to come to her a bit too easily, the clues fall too easily into her lap. If the case really was as important to the police as Chief Bogo made it out to be, you’d think their detectives would be able to pick up what a rookie cop could. Then again, it is a kid’s movie where the main character has to be the hero. 

Final Verdict: No movie is flawless. It remains to be seen if its political and social messages will remain relevant to future generations, but considering that it is Disney, Reelworm has a feeling it will. 

This movie definitely deserves a sequel, or better yet, a tv show.

Five Paw Prints out of Five!

Go and Give It a Watch!

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