Zootropolis (2016) Review

"Life's a little bit messy. We all make mistakes.
No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you."

Following on from the elephantine success of Frozen and Big Hero 6, Walt Disney Animation Studios are back to bring you Zootropolis (or Zootopia, depending on your regional location), a family friendly feature full of, well, fur. This mammal movie takes place after all species of animals have had a biological evolution, no longer needing to attack each other, choosing to instead live in a haven together in Zootropolis.

So, in this animal utopian buddy-cop animation, who is our unlikely hero? Officer Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) – a small town bunny from Bunnyburrow who dreams of helping the world at the Z.P.D. When Judy’s chance comes up, she packs her bags and sets off for Zootropolis, leaving her many rabbit relatives behind. Once in the big city, life isn’t quite how she imagined, and she is quickly relegated to parking meter duty by Cape buffalo Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), a significant step down from what she envisioned. Determined to battle prejudice amongst her fellow officers, and after a chance encounter with an otter, she rallies to be put on a missing person’s case, and quickly things descend out of control as the predator mystery unravels. Along for the ride is her reluctant ‘team-member’, a con artist fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who Hopps hustles into helping her.

Goodwin (Once Upon A Time, He’s Just Not That Into You) embodies every characteristic of her plucky bunny in her performance, showing that you can be small and still make a difference. In an unlikely pairing, Goodwin’s Hopps finds a friend in Bateman’s (Arrested Development, Horrible Bosses) Wilde, a street-smart but somewhat disenchanted fox. Goodwin and Bateman are electric on screen together, and the voice acting is some of the best to have graced the screen in recent years.

If you are expecting some utterly vibrant animation considering the Disney name, you will not be disappointed. Every image is a triumphant creation, and the vast landscapes of this world are displayed in breath-taking hues; from the hustle and bustle of Savanna Central, to the frosty fisheries of Tundratown, every environment is thoughtfully developed to create maximum immersion for viewers. As Judy rides the main train to the city, you really feel as if you are right there with her, watching the illustrious storms of the Rainforest district overhead.

Zootropolis is an enlightening celebration of multiculturalism amongst animals which has thought-provoking relatability to our everyday lives. It seems unlikely that an animated film could be as resounding and potentially influential as more traditional media in changing ideas and viewpoints, but it is actually well positioned to promote fully its messages of tolerance, unity, and acceptance. Along with its rebellion against stereotypes and seeming social commentary on police bias, the film will hopefully not only resonate in children’s minds as this is a movie that appeals to all generations. Disney seems to have timed this release perfectly, especially considering current cultural and political climates; Zootropolis may well indeed be the reminder that we all need to be accepting of those around us, and to always keep trying to be better versions of ourselves (insert Gazelle’s catchy pop anthem here).

Filled with genuine heart and imaginative characters, Zootropolis is every bit inspirational as it is enjoyable, giving hope that perhaps there is a Zootropolis/topia out there for us all to bask in one day. 

(All images are copyright Disney.)