Zootopia is a buddy-cop comedy, fish-out-of-water tale, and whodunit mystery wrapped up in a visually stunning package. The animation is top-notch, with a tight plot that keeps the movie moving along at a solid pace. The characters are well-drawn and the voice acting is solid (particularly Ginnifer Goodwin’s Judy Hopps). Sight gags and one-liners abound, including one of the funniest scenes in recent memory: Judy and Nick entering a DMV that’s run by sloths that move slower than molasses. The film is also a throwback to noir films, with twists and turns that keep the audience guessing at every turn.
The story is about an ambitious young rabbit named Judy Hopps who has lofty dreams of stretching her professional goals beyond prevailing familial and social expectations. Her family worries that she will be disappointed, but the movie proves them wrong when she is accepted into the police academy in the wide-open world of Zootopia, a stand-in for New York City. While Chief Bogo doesn’t see her as a police officer, she works hard to prove him wrong and becomes the first bunny cop on the force.
Aside from its wildly entertaining story, Zootopia delivers some important messages that are worthy of discussion in schools and homes. It addresses stereotypes, discrimination, and the importance of embracing individuality. It’s an inspirational tale that challenges viewers to follow their own dreams, even if others don’t believe in them. It also sends a message of unity, and how different animals can work together to solve a case.
Despite its many strengths, the movie’s biggest flaw is that it tends to fall into the same trap as other Disney movies: It ties up its plot points too quickly at the end. It resolves the mystery, Nick and Weaselton’s rivalry, and Judy and her bigotry in about 10 minutes. It’s a shame, because it could have been so much better.
The Blu-ray includes a number of bonus features that enhance the viewing experience. There is a great featurette called Scoretopia (4:59) that shows composer Michael Giacchino returning to the world of Disney animation. He talks about how he created the music for the film, explains the different styles and instruments used, and more. It’s a nice behind-the-scenes look at the movie and its creator.
Another great featurette is Showcase – The Making of Zootopia (4:35). This is a quick run-down of the main points of the movie, with some fun facts and trivia along the way. It’s worth a watch for the history buffs.
The final extra is the deleted scenes (28:03). There are a few sequences here that were cut from the film. Some are animated storyboards, while others are nearly complete and feature a narration from the directors.
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