Last year’s Disney film Cinderella came out around the same time as this Friday’s release of Disney’s Zootopia. While Cinderella’s March release went on to make a massive amount of money for the mouse house, time will tell if an animated film directed to families will do the same. Certainly Zootopia has a good storyline with a message that it doesn’t matter who you are, you can make your dreams come true, “as long as you work hard to accomplish them”. With that in mind and an excellent voice cast too boot, the family film should start good out of the gate.
There’s a wonderful place called Zootopia where all animals live in harmony both predator and prey. Its Judy Hopps’s (Ginnifer Goodwin) goal to live and work there some day, but her chosen profession has her parents worried. She wants to be a police officer. Feared that being a rabbit she may be far from the strong and burly police that protect Zootopia, but her determination cannot be changed.
After getting through the police academy and with a lot of effort she gets chosen by the Mayor of Zootopia to be the first rabbit police officer. But, it’s not what Judy expected as Police Chief Bogo doesn’t thinks she’s officer material and she finds herself being a meter maid. One day she runs into a fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) who uses his flashy looks and charm to scam her. Not long after Police Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) gets reports that the predators are starting to change back into their fearsome selves, so he puts Judy on the case to try and break her so she’ll muster out. Then there’s Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche).
So beings an adventure of trying to prove worthiness in the face of danger, friendship in the face of adversity, and acceptance way beyond the boundaries of possibility. Directors Byron Howard (Tangled), Rich Moore (Wreck-it Ralph) and Jared Busch (Big Hero 6) team up to provide a rollicking good time in the animal world. Establishing very good characters and providing a challenging storyline that leads them in and out of peril, Zootopia entertains from 5-year-old’s to adults with a little bit of child left in them.
The film also features the all-new original song, “Try Everything,” written by Grammy winning singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate, and performed by Grammy winner Shakira. And what a song it is, winsome and energetic, the toe tapper starts the film swinging with the opening credits and the closing moments of the kid friendly movie. It’s one of those tunes that gets stuck in your head and will be humming for days. And, Shakira voices Gazelle a night club singer as well. And, the vibrant score throughout the film was composed by Michael Giacchino Oscar winner for Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out.
The animation in Zootopia is extremely good with the animals being depicted as if real. Their fur and skin right down to the feet and hands look so realistic. Personalities are expressed depending on the animal with kindly little old otters speaking meekly to slow moving sloths who take a lot of time to get a word out, burly bulls blustering to athletic giraffes. The city has towering sky scrapers, parks and run down back alleys that allow for the exciting adventure of being a cop in a crowded vibrant community.
Zootopia has been rated PG by the MPAA for some thematic elements, rude humor and action. There are some scary scenes that take place in the film where the very young may get frightened, so keep them close to you so they can give you a hug. But most 5 or 6 years old and up should be able to laugh it off.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun family film with good messages all around. (A)
Additional Film Information:
Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake,Alan Tudyk, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Raymond Persi, Katie Lowes, Jesse Corti, John DiMaggio. Directed: Byron Howard, Rich Moore.
Written by: Jared Bush
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Family
MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements, rude humor and action
Running Time: 1 hr. 48 min.
Release Date: March 4, 2016
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Formats: 2D, 3D
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
