★★★★★
In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.
Classification: PG
GO WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
Don’t waste your time reading this review when you could be spending your time seeing Zootopia, it is a film that needs to be seen by everyone across the world. When you’re done come back and read this review or just go see Zootopia again (it’s that good!)
Again, Zootopia is another film that I underestimated before seeing, the new animated film from Disney revolves around a fictional world where animals have evolved into a society very similar to our own: they wear clothes, they have jobs, every element of a modern metropolis has its Zootopia counterpart. There are mini-cities for the rodents, underwater subway systems for the amphibious, and the DMV is run by sloths, the visual gags alone have you grinning.
Our main character is the first rabbit officer of the Zootopia police department, Judy Hopps, a bunny who never knew when to quit and achieved her dream only to have it crushed on her first day when she assigned as a meter maid. However, as the story progresses she puts her career on the line to investigate a dead-end case to prove her abilities as a police officer. Judy is an instantly likeable character who proves herself to be more than a doe-eyed rabbit who is in over her head.
The other lead is the sly Fox con man, Nick Wilde who Judy recruits to help with her case, voiced by Jason Bateman. Ginnifer Goodwin who voices Judy has great chemistry with Bateman as they create a believable relationship between the two characters that evolve over the course of the film. Nick is again a character who is much more than initially presented which lends to one of the film’s core themes. Like all other animated Disney features, Zootopia is a family film, there is incredible comedy, insatiable creativity (seriously the world-building alone is astonishing) and the animation is so impressive that some of the environments featured in the film look photo-real. But all those incredible elements pale in comparison to how Zootopia tells the story of a prejudiced society, and with the main characters being a bunny and a fox (A predator and it’s prey), this film is able to create extremely powerful dramatic moments that resonate with its audience.
At the point where I thought that film had concluded, it reveals its ace in the hole and knocked me on my ass. You’ll laugh in the film, you’ll be charmed by this film and then this film will make you reflect on the world we live in such a powerful and relevant way. Our society is in danger of being reduced to racism and fear-mongering and to see the sweet animated world of Zootopia tell a story of that magnitude was incredible. There is a sequence in this film that bridges the second and third act that left me speechless, I couldn’t believe that a film intended for children could tackle such sensitive content while never compromising what made the film so special, to begin with. Zootopia’s execution of this powerful thematic storytelling elevates itself into must-see viewing for every child on this world, for every person on this world.
That powerful storytelling again is supported by the incredible vocal cast that brings Zootopia’s various mammal residents to life. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are joined by the vocal talents of J.K Simmons, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, Nate Torrence, Alan Tudyk and many others giving standout performances which bring a richness to the story especially Idris Elba as Chief Bogo and veteran voice actor Maurice LaMarche as scene-stealer “Mr Big”. Musician Shakira also has a small role in the film delivering the terrific song “Try Everything” during the opening and closing of the film.
Zootopia has something for everyone, it’s a film that knows how good it is and revels in it. The passion from the filmmakers can be felt throughout and they’ve created a world that I loved and hope to see again.
Director: #ByronHoward and #RichMoore
Cast: #GinniferGoodwin, #JasonBateman, #IdrisElba, #JennySlate, #NateTorrence, #BonnieHunt, #DonLake, #TommyChong, #JKSimmons, #OctaviaSpencer, #AlanTudyk, #Shakira
Release Date: March 25th 2016
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images and Synopsis from the Internet Movie Database
Comments