A charming movie with a good, if blatant, message...

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2016)

There is a lot to say in favor of Zootopia, and I think its message of tolerance is a good one. The animation is excellent, the characters personable and engaging, the sound-track appropriate, there is plenty of humor, and the pacing neither rushes nor drags.
However, the movie is also terribly clichÃ©, derivative, overly referential, and the good message it has is not delivered with any subtlety, instead beat into the viewing audience in a ham-handed manner that sadly detracts from the movie. The message of tolerance I feel is also muddied given the nature of the distinct predator and prey species portrayed in the movie; whilst humans are humans, and it is only our behavior that categorizes us as aggressive or submissive, in the world of Zootopia, there certainly was legitimate reason to be concerned when only predator species were "reverting" to their primitive aggressive ways.
Despite these flaws, it's an enjoyable family movie. Recommended.