They did it again.

Rating: Null/10 (5 May 2016)

'Zootopia' or in Germany called 'Zoomania' (no seriously, what's up with this unnecessary name-changing?) is the new animated movie from the creators of 'Frozen' and 'Big Hero 6'. I haven't seen the latter, but since 'Frozen' is my favourite animated movie of the last years, I have to say the Team, here, too, did a great job. 'Zootopia' is a charming children's story for young but also old. The main character is rabbit Judy Hopps, who works more or less against all odds as the first rabbit-officer in the allegedly tolerant city of unlimited possibilities Zootopia (or Zoomania or Zootropolis). Of course nothing goes as planned as she'd initially hoped. With not quite so much help of the cunning fox Nick, Judy struggles to uncover the missing of several animals. The world of 'Zootopia' is in the process not so different from ours. The human-like animals run around with "iPhone's" and drink "Starbucks" coffee or just simply behave human. At the same time, they keep their natural instincts and along with the human part result in an interesting and charming-funny combination, without giving away to much, now. 'Zootopia' is clearly a movie for children but promises small surprises for older audiences, too. The supposedly Mafia-rat à la Marlon Brando/Robert de Niro or 'Breaking Bad''s Walter and Jesse hidden as animal "Drug" Dealers are great easter eggs for grown up's, that for me elicited one or two massive laughs. For a change, I'm actually glad to have seen the movie in German since they got the German voices of Robert de Niro and Walt and Jesse for the individual roles, which sadly isn't the case for the original movie. 'Zoomania' isn't just funny, sweet and simple amusement. It also contains heavy topics like racism and equality. However, these are handled in a child-friendly way and are in no way forced upon us, as I had feared initially. Joined with cute humor, Zoomania is not only entertaining, but is also, in my opinion, an important movie for young and old.
Conclusion: Anti-racism/discrimination children's film, that will and should also find favour with older people. For one thing it offers appealing characters, for another thing a neat story that encourages oneself to overcome one's fears and follow one's dreams. Who cares if you don't have any younger relatives to alibi-watch the movie with. Just watch it. I think we are past the belief that all animated movies are children's movies but rather child- oriented, with a lot to offer for grown-up's. 'Zootopia' in that case currently the best example.