Zootopia Review

Mar 2

Preview

PG: Some Thematic Elements, Rude Humor and Action

Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios

1 hr and 48 Minutes

Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, JK Simmons, Tommy Chong, Don Lake, Bonnie Hunt, Alan Tudyk, Nate Terrence, Octavia Spencer, with Jenny Slate, and Shakira

BACKSTORY: Monday February 29th. I needed this. I needed to see Zootopia so bad. I won't give details on why I really needed to see this, but for whoever that personally knows me knows WHY I NEEDED TO SEE ZOOTOPIA. So I snuck out of my house went to Times Square and went to see Zootopia and wow did this film blow me away.

STORYLINE: In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop must work together to uncover a conspiracy.

REVIEW: I knew about Zootopia since it was announced at the D23 Expo in 2013 and was very curious how a Disney film centered on a world with animals will succeed when there are 1) a numerous amount of animated films centered on talking animals and 2) the failure of a film called Chicken Little released by Disney a decade ago [which was their first CG feature film without Pixar]. For some reason I believe that Disney's Zootopia is their apology for Chicken Little, but as you watch this film you will get the sense of inspiration. With every Disney animated film recently there is a sense of creativity and imagination that exceed all expectations and this is Disney's most triumphant film since Tarzan. Yes we love Frozen, Big Hero 6, and Wreck-It Ralph, but surprisingly Zootopia is the most inspired idea that crosses into a relative theme that is problematic to the society we live in today. Yes a Disney film with talking animals reflects so much on our society and it's amazing how much depth they go with it. Besides that Zootopia also works on its buddy cop genre that we don't see with animated films. The comedy and chemistry between the voices of Bateman and Goodwin [who play Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps respectively] are very strong that you genuinely feel for them when you see the struggles they go through. Their onscreen bond is as strong as Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in the 21 Jump Street films. The movie is longer than most animated Disney films, but it doesn't even feel like it. Some aspects of the movie is predictable where you know where the story goes, but like a lot of other Disney movies, its the adventure that matters. The animation in the film is top notch where the characters flow as if they are in an actual society doing things regular people do. It's smooth there is no over the top animation where it goes full out cartoonish. The set pieces are beautiful to look at and you really want to see more of it after the film ends. The major problem that some may have is the plot twist. With Disney plot twists since Wreck-It-Ralph you sense that the villain of the film will be someone you would least expect so when you see it here, it's not at all surprising.

3D: Disney movies in 3D are not that special, but since Big Hero 6 they have been using it really effectively. The film is bright and colorful but the 3D gives the film a lot more realness than you'll see in 3D. The different places you see in Zootopia are gorgeous to look at, and the 3D really helps you feel the environment. Some things are thrown at you but most of the 3D really makes you feel as if you're on the adventure with Nick and Judy.

LAST STATEMENT: Disney's Zootopia is a triumphant film in general that perfects on getting a very thought provoking message across without being preachy to kids and adults and still manages to tell a great story in all. With brilliant writing, animation, and voices, this is sure one of Disney Animation's best non-musical films since Tarzan.

Rating: 5/5 | 96%