Zootopia (2016)

That might seem utterly bizarre, yet it's accurate. Directors Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush have delivered an astonishing film.

Zootopia starts off in ruthless fashion, depicting the death of a rabbit to a fearsome predator. That this is the setup to the school play makes no difference: The satire throughout the rest of the movie is just as brutal.

Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) defies social norms when she becomes the first rabbit police officer in the city of Zootopia, where history was made when predator and prey learned to co-exist in peace. Still, old bigotries persist, and there is an undercurrent of resentment among the species.

Being stereotyped as docile and weak, Judy is assigned parking duty. In order to further her career, Hopps blackmails a con-artist fox named Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman) into assisting the investigation of the mysterious disappearance of Emmet Otterton, who is one of 14 predators who have gone missing. Time is of the essence, for if Judy does not solve the case in two days, she will be pressured to resign her new job.

I dare not give away more of the plot. Even so, I had the story spoiled for me before I saw this film, and I was still enthralled by the wondrous and dangerous world of this film. This is an adult movie: Just because no curse words are used doesn't mean that this sober and grim tale is not aimed directly at mature audiences. And while it is sober and grim, it is also hilarious and moving. It's all in the dialogue, in which the characters use elevated speech that will go over the heads of young children.

For example, Judy tells Nick when they first meet, "You an articulate, good fox," to which Nick replies "And you are the least patronizing animal I've met."

And speaking of young children, they probably shouldn't attend this film. There are scenes of violence and menace that might leave 6- year-old kids wailing. The snappy one-liners and uproarious sight gags won't calm them down. Anyone who is mature and over the age of 9 should be able to handle this film, though.

In short, if you love movies, you should see this production. It is among the best work that Disney has ever made, and it is one of the most exhilarating films I have ever seen.

Detail / Info

Genre : Comedy, Animation
Duration : 108 min
Release Date : 04 Mar 2016
Rating : 8.1
Writer : Jared Bush (screenplay), Phil Johnston (screenplay), Byron Howard (story), Jared Bush (story), Rich Moore (story), Phil Johnston (story), Jennifer Lee (story), Josie Trinidad (head of story), Jim Reardon (head of story), Dan Fogelman (additional story material)
Director : Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Company : Walt Disney Pictures
Movie Casts :
Ginnifer Goodwin as Lieutenant Judy Hopps (voice), Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde (voice),Shakira as Gazelle (voice), Idris Elba as Chief Bogo (voice), Octavia Spencer as Mrs. Otterson (voice), J.K. Simmons as Mayor Lionheart (voice)