Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman
Directed By: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Running Time: 108 Minutes
BBFC Certificate: PG
UK Release Date: 25th March 2016
In my opinion Pixar is still the undisputed king when it comes to computer animated family films, but if Disney continues to produce films of this calibre then Pixar may have a fight on its hands.
Zootropolis is a sprawling modern city where animals of various species, big and small, live together in relative harmony. This is a city, after all, but there isn’t a food chain or dominant species, and everybody is integrated despite their species.
Optimistic and passionate rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) has always dreamed of leaving her country town of Bunny Burrow and becoming the first rabbit police officer of Zootropolis, a city where anyone can be anything. Through hard work (and a great police academy training montage) her dream comes true, but on the second day of her job she is drawn into a missing person’s case and forced to team up with street wise fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they uncover a conspiracy to revert many of the city’s residents into savage animals.
On the surface this is familiar territory with charismatic talking animals living together, and an outsider trying to find their place in the world and make a difference. It’s hard to pin point what elevates this film above the rest and I may have to put it down to its modern elements. We have corruption, inequality, sexism and racism. which are all fairly unheard of in a Disney children’s movie, but these are all traits of the real world and it is good to see them addressed on the screen and that the House Of Mouse evolves with its audience and the real world.
We also have the use of familiar brands that are wittily and appropriately renamed, news reels, social issues and various other things, which as silly as it sounds, and it make this animated world more relatable. This film isn’t short on references either, with Bearburry, Fur Fighters, Wreck it Rhino and Pig Hero 6 being just four of possibly hundreds which will reward viewers on repeat viewings.
Hopps is a post Frozen (2013) protagonist and the girl who aspires to follow her dreams and not give up despite what is thrown at her. Bateman lends his voice perfectly to the sarcastic and charismatic Fox who has a thing or two to teach Hopps, and likewise she has a few things to teach him.
Ultimately this is a mismatched buddy comedy and although animated, the chemistry between officer Hopps and hustler Wilde is great. They are both smart and make a great duo, despite their differences and there are several other memorable characters such as the stern police Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) and comic relief Clawhauser (Nate Torrence).
The films pace is great and only slightly sags towards the end, but the scene introducing the titular city is fantastic as Hopps’ train journey takes us through the desert, snow and jungle regions before arriving at the city centre. There is a terrific amount of detail in the city, which accommodates for all creatures great and small, and has plenty of visual jokes based around size.
This film is hilarious throughout and as with most family animations there are many jokes that appeal to all and just a few adult references that grown-ups will get, such as nods towards The Godfather (1972) and Breaking Bad (2008-2013). But everyone was laughing along to this very funny and imaginative film, and the scene at the DMV is a standout.
There is a lot going on in this film but it never loses focus on our main characters and their drive to solve the case, despite for different personal reasons. I think the trick here is that the people behind this film have developed a fully functional world full of well thought out characters and a finely tuned the script to suit it, while retaining its heart and humour.
As per Disney we have the positive moral messages to dream big and never give up, but to also treat others as individuals and not let fear drive us into submission. Appearances can always be deceiving, but through confrontation and communication we see people and things as what they truly are.
Overall Verdict: Zootropolis is a well-rounded and well-made family movie full of laughs with a positive female lead. It’s not afraid to make fun of itself and was better than I expected due to the depth of the characters. The vast city of Zootropolis is ripe for exploration and we should have many more adventures for years to come.
Reviewer: George Elcombe
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