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You are here: Home / Disney Movies and TV / Zootopia review

Zootopia review

March 8, 2016 by Becky 26 Comments

zootopia poster

This past weekend I got the chance to see Disney’s latest animated film, Zootopia. Β I will say that going into it I did not have high expectations – it looked cute, sure, but somewhat of a basic plot that seemed more appealing to kids than adults. Β I have to admit that I was totally wrong about it. Β Maybe the trailers are misleading, I don’t know, but it wasn’t what I expected and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.

The basic story is this: Zootopia takes place in a world where all animals have evolved enough to be treated equally – they don’t try to eat each other, everyone (supposedly) gets along regardless of species. Β The tagline for Zootopia is “anyone can be anything!” And Judy Hops takes that to heart when she decides to be the first bunny cop. Β She is surprised along the way to find that not everyone fully believes the slogan and many are doubtful of her ability to be a cop. Β In order to prove herself she is given the job of finding a missing mammal in 48 hours and ends up teaming up with con artist fox Nick Wilde in order to do so. Β Sounds pretty basic, right? Β Typical overcoming the odds to prove yourself story. Β Luckily, that’s not all that Zootopia turns out to be.

Woven into the entire plot line is a very important message/commentary, and that’s what is truly at the heart of Zootopia. Β Even in a world where we think prejudice has died, all it takes is one little thing to show that’s not the case at all. Β And the prejudice goes both ways, too – predators think less of “prey” like Judy because she is small and doesn’t seem as powerful. Β But even Judy can be at fault in her thinking, lumping together predators into a group and judging them as a group. Β I heard that the writers chose to portray this message with animals because it doesn’t focus on just one type of racism or prejudice. Β Judy isn’t discriminated against because of the color of her skin or because she’s a female, but because she’s a bunny. Β And there are stereotypes about bunnies. Β There are stereotypes about foxes too. Β And elephants, and lions, etc. Β In a way, choosing to use animals makes the message more applicable in many senses. Β It’s not just about racism, it’s about the effects of racism, sexism, bullying, and anything else where we judge people without truly knowing them.

If you ask me that’s a powerful message, and such an important one to share in our world today. Β Zootopia’s strongest point is that the message isn’t overly preachy, either. Β There’s not a “holier-than-thou” character who is trying to show people the right way to do things. Β Everyone has faults. Β It ties into the plot and it’s just really well done. Β That plot itself, by the way (in particular the case/mystery that they are trying to solve) is fine. Β It’s nothing super special or surprising, though there are some good scenes along the way. Β The action itself seemed highly predictable (my husband and I were whispering too each other about what was going to happen before it happened), but that’s okay because the rest of the movie is so strong. Β It’s not necessarily about the overarching “mystery” plot so much as it is about the smaller scenes that make up the plot and the message it sends.

zootopia

And that’s not to say that all of Zootopia is serious, either. Β In fact, a lot of it is funny. Β And not just funny, but clever too. Β In fact, Disney even takes time to poke fun at itself! Β There are two Frozen references within the film, and there is a weasel selling bootleg DVDs of films like “Wreck-It Rhino” and “Wrangled.” Β I need to watch it again just to catch all of the little references!

The two main characters, Judy and Nick, are really likable too. Β I appreciate the fact that they both have a lot of good in them, but they both have flaws as well. Β And they balance each other out perfectly. Β Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman did a fantastic job voicing the characters – I can’t imagine two people that might have been better, honestly.

All in all, I enjoyed Zootopia a lot. Β I thought it was a smart movie with a really important message that was woven into the plot naturally, and not to hit you over the head. Β I will definitely look forward to seeing it again and I’m glad that Disney tackled something like this.

Have you seen Zootopia? Β What are your thoughts on it?

Filed Under: Disney Movies and TV, Reviews Tagged With: animation, Movie, Review, Zootopia

Comments

  1. Brittany @ Grace, Love, Life says

    March 8, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I can’t wait to see this. Disney has a way of making kid movies that everyone can enjoy.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 8, 2016 at 4:59 pm

      I totally agree, there were great parts for kids and adults in this one!

      Reply
  2. LisaLDN says

    March 8, 2016 at 10:34 am

    I’m so excited to see it – even more so after reading your review! πŸ™‚
    — LisaLDN.com

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 8, 2016 at 5:00 pm

      I hope you really enjoy it too!

      Reply
  3. The Animation Commendation says

    March 8, 2016 at 10:45 am

    Haven’t seen it yet, but I want to soon.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 8, 2016 at 10:00 pm

      I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on it!

      Reply
  4. Crystal @ Dreams, etc. says

    March 8, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    I loved your review and how thoughtful and in depth it was. This sounds like a great movie.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 8, 2016 at 5:01 pm

      Thanks so much! It was definitely an enjoyable one!

      Reply
  5. jessica says

    March 8, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    We just went to see this yesterday! It was so good and I thought it was really funny too. Enjoyed your review:)

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 8, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      I’m glad you liked it too! It definitely made me laugh more than I expected!

      Reply
  6. Nichole says

    March 8, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    So glad to hear it. My kiddos are wanting to see it.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 8, 2016 at 5:00 pm

      I think both you and them will enjoy it a lot!

      Reply
  7. Natalie V. says

    March 8, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    I was SO excited to see this with my daughter, so we went last Friday. I thought I’d like it based on what I’d seen in the previews, but the movie was actually one of my favorite Disney movies I’ve seen so far. I loved the messages about not judging others, the story line, and the characters. I think that Disney had hit one out of the park with this!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 10, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      That makes me so happy to hear that you loved it so much! It’s definitely one that I’m looking forward to going back and seeing again.

      Reply
  8. Kelsie Kleinmeyer says

    March 9, 2016 at 2:04 am

    My hubby and I are kidless, and still hoping to see this asap πŸ™‚ Thanks for a great review- now I’m more excited!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 10, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      We went on a Saturday morning so the theater was full of kids, but it was just my husband and me πŸ˜‰ We still loved it!

      Reply
  9. Megan Saunders says

    March 9, 2016 at 6:59 am

    I can’t wait to see this! Hoping next week the base has it in 2D, I don’t enjoy 3D πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 10, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      I hope it does for you! We saw it in 2D, we usually choose that just because it’s cheaper πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  10. Lisa says

    March 9, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    I’ve been wanting to see this and now i do even more. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      Excellent, I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  11. Debbie Kolacki says

    March 9, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    “It’s not just about racism, it’s about the effects of racism, sexism, bullying, and anything else where we judge people without truly knowing them.” I feel that sometimes we are so preoccupied with racism that we forget that there are many other types of prejudices.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:20 pm

      I think that’s one of the things I loved about this movie – it emphasizes the importance of not judging people on *whatever* it is and not defining it to one certain thing. Everyone has been judged by others at one point in their life for whatever reason so it makes it easier to relate to – and might open your eyes to the other side, as well.

      Reply
  12. Amber Myers Mamian says

    March 11, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    I wasn’t able to go however my hubby took the kids and they all LOVED it!!!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      March 13, 2016 at 2:25 am

      I’m glad to hear it was such a hit with your family!

      Reply
  13. Ariel @ Keys to My Life says

    May 11, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    I still haven’t seen it and I’m dying! Since it’s been so long we just decided to rent it and if I love I’m buying it πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      May 12, 2016 at 9:00 am

      I’m definitely buying it once it comes out! I really enjoyed it!

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I'm Becky!

I'm a huge Disney fan in my early 30's and always trying to find a way to put a little bit of Disney into everyday life. I live in Pennsylvania but travel to the theme parks several times a year - I'm an annual passholder at Disney World! In addition to Disney I love traveling, running, and theater.

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