Zootopia

Opinions are so divided these days that I feel like it’s becoming more and more impossible for people to be kind to one another.  Despite all the differences we have, kindness should be something that we have in common; the problem is that kindness isn’t as simple as it’s made out to be.  A person has to have it in them to be a willing participant.  Or, they have to be taught the value in extending a hand and not judging someone, judging something, judging anything.  A combination of the two usually results in a person of higher quality, but even that doesn’t mean that that same person can’t be led astray by the cruelty of the world.

Sometimes cruelty and judgement comes from a place of fear.  Fear of a parent that the world will swallow their child, so they teach that child to be suspicious of others, because the little evil of judging someone, based off their appearance, is for the greater good of keeping that child safe until he/she can think for themselves.  Then it’s up to that child, turned adult, to rely on the kindness they were born with to feel remorse.

That’s one of many possibilities; sometimes people are just cruel with no regard or care for their actions.  And sometimes unity can be found among enemies, because even enemies know the importance of respect.  I thought about of all of this once Zootopia ended last night (Yes, I’m getting around to the review).  Why, of all things, was this cartoon making me ponder what I usually shake my head at daily? Why is this film one that can teach a valuable lesson to all children, and their parents, about how to look at others?  I think the reason is the simple and remarkable way the film is structured.  It lets us see all of the animals living in a perfectly functioning society ,so that we don’t see a lion and a sheep getting along, but the city’s mayor and his secretary.  It doesn’t matter what they look like, only who they are to each-other.  So when the questions of prejudice and separation come about late in the film, those questions feel wrong.  They feel cruel.

I’m not trying to make this film sound like something that preaches to you; it knows how absurd it is to see hamsters working as stockbrokers, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.  This film aims to please every second it can, while getting it’s point across with grace.  It’s yet another victory for Disney Animation Studios after Frozen, Wreck it Ralph, and Big Hero 6 have given an edge over those guys at Pixar (except for Inside-Out last year).  I laughed out loud, enjoyed beautiful animation, and as you can see…got to feeling all profound.

The story revolves around the modern mammal inhabited city of Zootopia, compromised of boroughs such as Tundratown and Sahara Square; the city is a melting pot where animals from every environment can live together in harmony.  The film’s opening sequence introduces us to a young Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), who speaks about how animals were once living in a predator & prey society, but not any longer.  She aspires to be the first every rabbit police officer, despite her parents hoping she becomes a carrot-farmer; she’s told to be wary of foxes, even though a fox won’t harm her anymore than a lion in the world of Zootopia.  And so, she joins the police force and is assigned to meter-maid duty by her Chief (Idris Elba), much to her chagrin.

But once an opportunity presents itself to investigate the mysterious disappearance of numerous animals around the city, she hops to it (sorry).  In order to accomplish her task, she must partner with Nick (Jason Bateman) a street hustling fox; the characters get on each-other’s nerves until they form a bond in the traditional way.  The film was very funny and highly entertaining for it’s first two-thirds, but it’s the last act where things take a turn to something that I didn’t expect.  What could’ve been a perfectly fine buddy-comedy with animals, became something with a surprising pulse on the world we humans populate.  It’s to the filmmakers’ credit that none of where the film goes feels forced.  It feels right.

The voice cast is excellent with the voices vanishing into the characters, led by Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy.  Her vocals are as cute as her twitchy rabbit nose and floppy ears.  Jason Bateman is perfect for the sarcastic fox, as he gives him just enough Michael Bluth to form his pain beneath the rude exterior.   I also really liked Idris Elba as Police Chief Bogo, and will note a brief appearance of Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister as one of those little foxes with the huge ears.  The film contains wonderful moments, such as a perfect reference to The Godfather, and hilarious scenes of wolves howling just because “one starts it.”  But it’s the more important stuff that stayed with me.  This is a film that I think is special for parents to watch with their children and discuss afterward. It’ll make those hard conversations I spoke of earlier, easier to simplify.

Pay attention to a scene, late in the film, when a character tells another that “the world is already broken.”  See how the other character responds, and try to determine if you agree.  You may learn something about yourself in that moment.  And if you don’t like what you learn…well, then you’ve learned something.

Grade: A