Exciting, Funny, Clever, Smart and Fantastic

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2016)

In 2013, while following the D23 Expo from home, Zootopia was first announced and it seemed very appealing. I dreaded the long wait to see what Rich Moore and Byron Howard (the director of Wreck-It Ralph with some Simpsons work, and the director of both Bolt and Tangled) would cook up in this film.
When the trailers started to come out, I was charmed. When the plot began to unveil, I realized that the relationships between characters and species in this film would apply pretty seamlessly with stereotypes. I was shocked and excited at the possibility that Disney would be making a film that addressed racism as well as stereotypes, and I had some fear that the film would not be so accepted because of this.
Fast forward to opening weekend, almost 3 years later. I've been following this film ever since 2013, and I am beyond excited to see it with my friends. The theater isn't completely packed, but still pretty full. We had originally planned to go to a 7 pm showing, but it was sold out, so we ended up going to an 8 pm showing instead. Practically everything I had heard about this movie was good, which fueled my excitement even greater. Then the actual movie came.
Wow. Wow wow wow wow wow. I knew that it was already great, but being there, and seeing the unveiled world of Zootopia in full cinematic experience with a lively crowd around you made a very fun adventure, and a world that I am already seeking to return to.
I am not sure if I will ever contemplate how much backbreaking work those animators put themselves through to incorporate natural animal movements in these characters as well as putting detail in the surroundings and the city itself. This city, this design alone is worth paying the money in a cinema. It is so immersing and layered with clever tricks and adaptations for all sorts of animals living there. Yeah, and it also looks great with state of the art animation. With a world this big, Disney could have their first real saga.
Then there's the cast. Byron and Richard were right in casting Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. The two work so well together as Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. They are well developed, which works in all movies, not just Disney alone. This film also introduced me to Idris Elba's acting, and his performance as Chief Bogo is really good, and he has a secret that had me in stitches. There's so much more about the cast I could say, but this review would go on longer than it already has, and I want anyone who hasn't seen it to find out some points on their own.
Also. The Writing and the Humor. Both are solid. This movie has a really good script, and still manages to make us howl (pun intended) with laughter despite its mature themes. And there is one moment in the film of where the look on Nick's face is undeniably one of the best things I have ever seen in my life.
Although this is a movie that the whole family can enjoy, it isn't for the faint-hearted kids, and I think that parents should be ready for discussing its themes. If you don't have kids, you might be pondering this movie's messages yourself for days. And my one complaint? There's a certain little character that doesn't even get nearly enough screen time. I won't say who, but I think you'll know when you see it.
So altogether, I will say what I said about this on my Facebook. This movie is absolutely fantastic. It has beautiful animation, awesome world building, great comedy and action, a wonderful cast and a sweet yet powerful story that resembles our struggles with discrimination and inclusive societies. Those critics were not kidding, and neither am I.
This is why I love Disney. They don't create films for just children. They create films that rock its audiences to the core and connects them while staying wholly original, brilliant and effective without any actual actors or sets. That's the magic of animation. I applaud this company for taking this brave risk making a movie that addresses present issues as powerful as these, and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who hasn't seen this film to do so ASAP. I know I will be going back.