Zootopia

Disney Animation just beat Pixar at its own game.

Another excellent entry in Disney Animation’s computer generated renaissance, Zootopia follows two unlikely animals turned partners in justice as they track down various missing citizens of Zootopia, a city where predator and prey have learned to co-exists together after years of evolution. Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a small town rabbit who has high hopes of becoming the world’s first rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a sly con-fox who’s only out for himself and what will make him the most money in the quickest way possible, take it upon themselves to find said missing animals while trying to get over their inherent animal differences. Soon it becomes clear that something sinister and more dangerous may be going on in Zootopia, and with ordinary citizens suddenly starting to go “savage”, time is running out to not only save them, but save the city itself and everything it stands for.

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that this may be one of the most important “kids” movies to come to theaters in quite some time. I’m air quoting the word “kids” because outside of the movie being populated by animal kingdom regulars and a few pop songs or two, this is nothing like any kids movie you’ve seen before. Sure there’s the colorful computer animation and cutesy animals roaming around town dressed in everyday clothing, and sure there are a handful of truly funny and laugh out loud scenes that every kid under the sun is going to enjoy (that sloth DMV scene is an instant classic), but underneath all of that is something more, something dark, something unique, something…real.

And real is the most certainly the best way to describe this film in both tone and content. I haven’t seen many movies of this type that take as many risks from what one would expect as Zootopia has, and for the most part, this film excels in every regard. Instead of dancing around the message at hand, Zootopia takes on the idea of race, segregation and stereotypes head on. If this wasn’t an animated Disney movie, the script and strength of all efforts put into the film would still make for a damn fine live-action drama, and that’s saying something. Usually, and especially for animated films, the final product could only work as is, but Zootopia elevates itself to a point where I was making comparisons to high end classics from the past instead of other films in the same genre. Think Roger Rabbit on the “kids” movie level with a little bit of Chinatown mixed in for good measure, and no, I’m not exaggerating about the Chinatown comparison. There are some interesting story beats that if you really pay attention, almost mimic that film, not to mention the whole lighting aspect of the film draws a lot of attention to the seedy underbelly of Zootopia instead of catering to the cheery and bright looks of most kids films.

As I keep noting, this film is relatively dark and sort of mean-spirited at first, my only real gripe with the film, but when you get used to the words these characters use and the way they use them, you realize that this film isn’t sugar coating much, and to be honest, it’s a breath of fresh air. For too long children’s movies have been high on entertainment value and low on pretty much of anything else. Pixar has struck gold with their emotionally complex take on a variety of subjects, but when it comes to real issues faced in the world today, Pixar doesn’t have much to go on. Wall-E’s attempt to show what human society is doing to itself was the closest they’ve come to something like this, so when I say Zootopia is an important movie and a different beast altogether, you should have a good idea of what I’m talking about.

All this being said, the movie would be nothing without its spot on voice casting. Goodwin and Bateman are the characters they portray: Goodwin channels the bounciness, sweetness and determination of Judy with ease as Bateman leaves a slick oily presence whenever he’s speaking onscreen. The dynamic between the two is terrific from their initial encounter all the way to the final scenes; a friendship that grows so organically and in real ways that I find myself wondering why so many other movies struggle to do the same thing. Rounding out the cast is Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons and a few others who absolutely nail their roles. Everyone here seems to really understand the material and give it their all, making it that much sweeter when each character completes their own mini-character arc by the film’s end.

Other than the initial shock of the direct way this film tackles it’s subject matter, the only other issues I had with this film was the slightly predictable ending, which, if you really think about it, is really the only way it could end in the first place. I could nitpick a few other things but I’d really have to strain myself to find anything else worth mentioning.

Zootopia is a must see for children, but even more so for adults alike. Disney has captured some new kind of magic here, and was nothing that I expected. Pixar may hold the crown for emotionally complex films, but Disney Animation just elevated itself to being the flipside of that coin by making a smart movie about race, segregation, stereotypes and what it means to uncompromisingly be who you are regardless of what other people think. A rare film that has something to say while entertaining on almost every level, Zootopia needs to be seen as soon as you can get to a theater.