Zootopia (2016)

Genre

Action | Animation | Comedy

Directors

Byron Howard | Rich Moore

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Tommy Chong, J. K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, Shakira, Raymond S. Persi, Maurice LaMarche, Tom Lister Jr., John DiMaggio, Della Saba, Kath Soucie

Storyline

In Zootopia, a mammal metropolis, Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin), a rookie bunny cop, must work with Nick (Jason Bateman), a cynical con artist fox, to solve a mysterious case.

Opinion

I love animals, and I knew I would enjoy the film since I saw the trailer, but I wasn't expecting to like it this much. I haven't seen many animated flicks of this year but I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this is going to be one of the best of the year. Disney's latest film "Zootopia" has indeed everything to make a great film.

The plot isn't really all that unique. I mean, after all, it is just a buddy story blended with a crime story, but it does feature several plot twists, action, suspense, and just like a true Disney movie it does deliver a powerful message that is very time-appropriate.

In fact, the film makes a commentary on inclusion, prejudices and racial issues and states that everyone should have a chance to change themselves or to change what other people think of them. It indeed touches a current and sensible thematic that is the (non)existence of a biological predisposition to crime for some races and ethnicities.

But it does not stop there. It also analyzes the concepts of civilization, not only biological but also moral evolution and the use of fear as a mean to govern.

Pretty heavy, right? But don't worry, while the adults can think about the film's multiple messages, the kids will sure love the film because of the cute and funny characters and the funny scenes, like the one with the sloths. Adults will have fun too thank to references to "The Godfather" and "Breaking Bad".

Needless to say, the animation is astonishing. Every character is beautifully animated, and they also did an excellent job in capturing the realistic movements of the animals.

At last, the voice cast does a good job as well. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman have a great chemistry as the leading duo, Judy the bunny and Nick the fox. Everyone else is good as well, from Idris Elba to Jenny Slate, to J. K. Simmons. Finally, there is Shakira who delights the audience with a beautiful, catchy song.