Film: Zootropolis (Zootopia)

Zootropolis follows the story of rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), who strives to become the first bunny police officer in the city of Zootropolis, where all animals live in harmony and can be whatever they want. However Hopps finds that things aren’t as simple as they appear, facing discrimination from the larger animals that dominate the workforce. Hopps finds herself working with conman (or perhaps confox) Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) on a missing otter case finding that the case is far more complicated as it first appears.

Goodwin brings a great energy to Hopps, creating a very likeable character with a realistic grounding. Bateman uses his standard sarcastic archetype to make Wilde a fun foil and reluctant partner to Hopps. They are both used to present the idea that people (or in this case animals) are more than what they appear to be on first glance. A cute little bunny can be an effective cop and a fox isn’t something to be mistrusted or feared. 

This is one of the surprising strengths of Zootropolis. It is able to present a story about prejudice in a way that is perfectly accessible to children and doesn’t feel overly preachy. The issue is smartly boiled down to predator vs prey, with the prey fearing that predator’s violent tendencies are in their DNA. This film couldn’t come at a better time in light of the recent Oscars controversy and controversy related to xenophobic issues in America and abroad. The investigation takes many twists and turns but doesn’t become too complicated or overstuffed for children to enjoy.

Zootropolis boasts many memorable characters from J.K. Simmons as the mayor of Zootropolis to Idris Elba as the hard-to-please chief of police and Jenny Slate as the mayor’s assistant who befriends Judy. Hopps’ investigation brings her across an interesting array of animals, including a hilarious visit to an animal nudist colony and an encounter with fearsome mafia leader Mr Big, a shrew.

The film is very funny throughout, making great use of visual gags and mining humour from the animal’s various characteristics. A visit to the DMV, run by sloths naturally, is one of the film’s highlights. Jason Bateman’s Nick Wilde is always available to provide a quick one-liner at the perfect time.

The animation of the film is gorgeous creating a beautifully realised world full of inventive character design. While Michael Giacchino’s score is rather unremarkable, feeling quite generic, the song ‘Try Everything’ as performed by Shakira (in character as Gazelle) is a great pop hit.

Zootropolis would fit in well with the Disney classics, providing a modern twist on familiar ideas to create a funny, yet thought provoking film.