Individuality

Rating: 6/10 (24 April 2011)

A film about individuality, about finding it and embracing it. My favorite storyline is this regard was the Zebra's, the Zebra who thought he was unique and special until he meets a herd of Zebras who all turn out to be exactly like him, same appearance, same skills, same behavior. They have this interesting philosophy that they are an individualistic collective, they are special BECAUSE they are all the same and they are strong together. Our main Zebra feels bad for being like everyone else until the lion, his year-long companion, makes clear to him that he is special to HIM, which, per definition, makes him an individual. And that's even though it was this very lion companion that caused the Zebra's identity crisis because he couldn't distinguish his friend from any of the other Zebras (you can bet that there is the typical "I'm sorry but YOU GUYS all look the same to me" racial joke in there). And the special place in the lion's heart also is solely based on their shared past rather than anything concrete that distinguishes him in the present. Something to contemplate.
The movie's best comedic moments, at least to me, are the numerous movie references, given the fact that a whole lot of animated movies nowadays have a lot of those should tell you that this film really isn't anything special. But I can't really be too hard on a movie that references AND subverts one of the best moments of 'Planet of the Apes' and it's neither a "get your paws off of me" nor a "you blew it up" reference. The tough old lady bits are amusing too because...it's a tough old lady beating up a lion! Huh, huh! The first movie was better, not that the first one was great or anything.