‘Zootopia’ Review: A Near-Perfect Disney Movie, Brilliantly Tackles Diversity and Discrimination

“Zootopia” (2016)

Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons

Movie Review Grade: 9ish

Reviewer: Lane Fortenberry

 

Disney has done an incredible job with storytelling over the years. They give us films fused with real-world problems and explain it so well that children can truly understand what’s going on in the world today. Adults and parents are also reminded of the problems we have through their storytelling. “Zootopia” is another film in which they accomplish just that.

“Zootopia” is a place where all animals, predators and prey alike, get along. It’s a city where any animal can chase their wildest dreams, while coexisting with all other species. We follow Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a rabbit who was told she could never become a cop. She completes the police academy and moves to Zootopia to follow her dreams. Judy is first assigned to parking ticket duty. Frustrated, she then takes the seemingly impossible task of finding a kidnapped Otter. She sees that she needs help, and finds the clever fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to accompany her on her quest. On her journey she finds very revealing details about some of the animals and the case gets very interesting.

“Zootopia” is absolutely hilarious and still carries all the heart-warming and tear-jerking moments Disney is so wonderful at creating. The voice-over work is flawless and is filled with an incredible supporting cast.

Most importantly, the creators show us discrimination in a different way on the big screen so everyone can witness what’s happening everyday all around us. They show us the problems with diversity and immigration in a way everyone can understand, even children. These problems can’t be allowed to continue.

The city Zootopia reminds me of New York City, and we must remember the poem on the Statue of Liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” This should still be deemed true today.