Film Review #116: Zootopia

After Big Hero 6 underwhelmed me the same way many were underwhelmed by Pocahontas, my expectations for Disney's next animated film were relatively middling.  I figured the film could either be another classic for the studio, or another "meh" film that would prove to me once and for all that Frozen was another Lilo and Stitch, a blue moon surrounded by clouds of good and bad.  I am willing to say I went into this film with a surprisingly low amount of gusto when compared to previous films and by keeping my expectations low, I figured I would enjoy myself regardless of the film's quality.

Zootopia was a significantly better film than I thought it would be.  It had charm, humor, great voice acting, and dealt with themes and lessons that (despite not being anything groundbreaking) children really do need to learn and understand.  It's no where near the level of animated film that Frozen was, nor is it worthy of my Top 10 Disney Animated Films, but when I get around to updating my list, you can bet this film will likely boot either Peter Pan or One Hundred and One Dalmatians from the Top 25.


Plot: In a referential hearken back to their old days as animators, the story takes place in a society dominated by anthropomorphic animals living their lives.  One such animal is Officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a young rabbit who is finally able to live her dreams of becoming a police officer in Zootopia, the city of animals.  The only problem she runs into is that her police chief, Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), does not give her the kinds of assignments she wants because of her diminutive size in comparison to her other recruits.  One such case involves the disappearances of many of the city's predator population.  After another animal vanishes, Hopps is given 48 hours to solve the case, or be forced to resign from the force.

Knowing she cannot solve the case by herself, Judy blackmails a con artist fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), into helping her solve the case.  Despite their differences in both species and upbringing (a sorrowful backstory for Nick is revealed) the two do start to become friends.  Through some investigative work, the two discover that many of the animals that have been disappearing are going insane and attacking the innocent civilians of Zootopia.  The two are praised when their case seems to lead them to the culprit, Mayor Lionheart (J.K. Simmons), who is arrested.  Despite their success, when Judy accidentally reveals a prejudice she has towards the predators, the city panics and Nick denounces her, causing her to resign from the force in shame and return home.

But, as it would turn out, Mayor Lionheart was not the real culprit, as the disappearances continue.  When Judy discovers that the source for the insanity spreading through the carnivores, she returns to Zootopia to rectify her mistakes and set things right with herself, Nick, and the people she has sworn to protect.

What's Bad?: There are a few things in the film that rub me the wrong way.  First, like Frozen was praised for it's "originality", this film is being praised as the first Disney film to tackle prejudices and stereotypes.  Seeing as how both The Fox and the Hound and The Hunchback of Notre Dame are two of the lesser known Disney films, I can see why people would make this mistake, but considering those elements are the most praised elements about those respective films, I can't stand it that one film is being praised for what another film does.  Even though the message is probably more relatable than it Hunchback's was, I still find it difficult to really get into the message as much as I should.  I guess you could call it a pet peeve of mine, but that's just one thing that bugged me about the movie.

The other most glaring issue with the film has been an issue in the last several Disney films have had.  Despite Prince Hans being a remarkably hateful and spiteful villain, no Disney Villain made recently has really called back to the villains of the past, with the sole exception of Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog.  This film's villain (I won't spoil who it is) continues this trend.  We have yet to have a truly memorable Disney Villain that I would love to collect merchandise off of or at the very least, respect enough to put in the same category as giants like Cruella De Vil and Gaston.  They tried to replicate the "shock value" villain in the same way they tried with Frozen, only here it wasn't exactly that interesting because the villain in general is not interesting.  A huge letdown for the film, because had the film had a strong villain, I probably would have seriously enjoyed this film the same way I did with Frozen.  

What's Good?: Having gotten the bad stuff out of the way, I think I should focus on the good stuff, because there is a LOT of good stuff in this film.  The comedy can be hit and miss, but the comedic gems really are as funny as you'd think.  I think my favorite joke they don't talk about too much is the morbidly obese cheetah.  But of course, the best comedic scenes in the film are of the time spent in the DMV with the sloths.  Not only was this referential joke hilarious and timeless, but it can appeal to both kids and adults.  That, in general, was the tone of the humor.  When humor can appeal to both adults and kids, you know it's working.  And the best Disney comedies are the ones that can appeal to both.

The voice acting in this film is absolutely incredible.  Considering his time with both "Legend of Korra" and "Gravity Falls" it's no surprise that J.K. Simmons is great Mayor Lionheart, but the two best performances in the film are provided by Idris Elba as Bogo and Goodwin as Judy.  Elba brings his deep baritones into whenever he talks and despite being in the same room as a rhino and an elephant, you know he has the authority in the room.  Elba has always reminded me of a Michael Clarke Duncan kind of guy, someone who can sweep the authority from anyone in the room with just clearing his throat.  I hope he continues this when he plays Shere Khan in The Jungle Book.  Goodwin is also magnificent as Judy Hopps, capturing both the wild and anxious side of being a rabbit while also retaining the emotional qualities needed for a Disney Heroine.  The movie really does balance the heartfelt moments with the comedy well.  Her performance is definitely up there with some of the best in Disney History (where leads are considered).

Lastly, while the message is nothing new, especially when you consider the hundreds of films that have covered prejudice and stereotypes in the past, the message is still one that needs to be told a few times because it is an important message.  In a society where a decent amount of Americans want to elect one of the most racist, sexist, bigoted, neanderthals in history as President of the United States, we'd better educate our children to the best of our abilities on these issues.  Once the Old Guard passes away, we should be able to start doing away with racism and prejudice in the country, but it may take time.  And films like this are important in teaching these kinds of lessons.

Overall: Zootopia is a film worthy of the Disney name.  It may not be the best they've ever done, but it certainly stands leaps and bounds over it's predecessor and has once again set the standards for Disney remarkably high.  And with perennial powerhouse directors John Musker and Ron Clements pioneering the next Disney film, I can assure you that it will at the very least be visually incredible.  As for this film, it is a definite strong and solid film that is worth a watch, at least one or two.

Final Grade: 90 or A-