Disney just keeps getting better and better.

Rating: 10/10 (19 May 2016)

Ever since they released The Princess and The Frog in 2009, Disney has been enjoying a new renaissance in animation resulting in films like Frozen and Big Hero 6, so when I heard that the House of Mouse were making a film about anthropomorphic animals, my curiously peaked and I went to see it just recently and I must say, this movie was fantastic, from it's beautiful animation and great voice acting to it's morals, everything work perfectly. Zootopia is a movie so well-timed and appropriate, it's almost shocking. At a time when madness, hatefulness, and paranoia have been implanted into the minds of the general public by those who should be battling against it, a movie like this comes along to help us rise above modest-minded claims and stereotypes of other people.
The film takes place in the lively, varied world of Zootopia, a place where both predator and prey live in harmony, and are free to be whoever and whatever they choose. These are the reasons that draw Judy Hopps, a small town rabbit with dreams of becoming a police officer, something her parents fear because not only has there never been a rabbit police officer, but they also feel that Judy should keep her ambitions to selling carrots which is the last thing Judy has on her mind. Upon completing her police training, Judy is then pushed into the force with a lot of muscular animals. Her boss, Chief Bogo forces her to be a meter maid while the other cops handle the big cases in order to keep Judy in her place, until he tasks her with finding a missing otter within 48 hours. Judy then enlists the help of a fox named Nick Wilde after getting him to work with her. Together, they must work to find the missing otter, but uncover something far bigger.
This movie wears it's meanings on its sleeves, but in not a way that sidetracks from or dilutes its main themes. Two of those being sexism and racism, characteristics of our society that are unlikely to disappear from the Earth, but should never be used as forces of hate. The writers have carefully built a world and within that world, filled it with a variety of animals, some branded as ideal while others are branded as the opponent that many are just waiting for to step out of line. When you watch the movie, it doesn't take a scientist or doctor to tell you that Judy Hopps represents woman while the predators represent minorities.
The story is always well placed and connecting and is told with such vigor, magic and emotion that some watching the film will forget the story being a bit on the predicable side. Jared Bush and Paul Johnson have penned the film carefully, but to the point where ignoring the message just isn't an option and while countless other animated movies have preached the messages of loving your neighbor and tolerance, few have perfected it as well as Zootopia has. Not since Hunchback of Notre Dame has Disney dealt with such weighty themes, but deals with those themes with a light handle.
Rather than staying with a smartly story-boarded, complex narrative, the writers had no issue having fun with the film, permitting Judy and Nick to wander without restrains in a giant city and allowing informal/situational humor to take it's course which is why we have a hysterical scene with three-toed sloths at the DMV as well as a wink-and you'll-miss-it pursuit scene between Judy Hopps and a weasel or a great Godfather parody scene. The movie isn't short on ideas nor is it short on get-up-and-go and the noteworthy thing is how the film goes at 100 miles an hour in every area and doesn't even come close to stopping by the end credits. The film also has some incredibly smart and humorous writing, cunningly pairing crafty references and clever humor along with honest emotions and heart without any embarrassing tone shifts along with the visual humor which is also a joy to behold.
As for the animation in Zootopia, it's never looked better with vivid colors, beautifully designed backgrounds and lovingly drawn characters whose movements are fluid and never move in a robotic fashion. Some of the animation is very imaginative in its set pieces too. The musical score by Michael Giacchino is skillfully crafted and orchestrated, full of energy, and memorable and complements the movie nicely.
The characters in Zootopia are all interesting and all have a purpose in the movie with interesting personalities, none of which feel lackluster, shoehorned in, irritating or pointless which is great to see in a Disney film. Judy Hopps is a perfect Disney role model for people, never giving up her dreams when talked down to by others, and is passionate about making the world a better place, not to mention the excellent job Ginnifer Goodwin does bringing Judy's voice to life. Jason Bateman is great as Nick Wilde who starts off as a jerk, but does have a back story much like Judy that gives him some development and makes Nick much more relatable, plus the chemistry between them is incredible to watch. Idris Elba is awesome as Chef Bogo; J.K Simmons rocks it as Mayor Lionheart, Maurice LaMarche's Mr. Big is a hilarious Mafia like Arctic shrew crime boss who steals every scene he's is; Nate Torrance is tremendously delightful as Officer Clawhauser right from the moment we are introduced to him. Flash, the three-toed sloth working at the DMV is also an extremely hilarious character voiced by Simpsons director Raymond S. Persi. Even Latino singer, Shakira provides her voice here and does a great job and her song "Try "Everything" helps to push the morals of the film pretty well.
I can't say enough about how much I loved Zootopia, it's an absolutely flawless Disney animated film with something for everybody. Go see it now, you'll love it!