Zootopia | Review
This review for ‘Zootopia’ is going to be different from ones I typically write for other films because I solely want to focus on why it’s such an important film rather than go in depth about aspects I usually cover in reviews, such as character development, acting, directing, etc.
I’ll be the first to admit, I had the lowest expectations for Disney’s latest animated feature. When I first heard its logline:
In the animal city of Zootopia, a fast-talking fox who’s trying to make it big goes on the run when he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Zootopia’s top cop, a self-righteous rabbit, is hot on his tail, but when both become targets of a conspiracy, they’re forced to team up and discover even natural enemies can become best friends.
I was far from impressed. It honestly sounded to me like a crappy Dreamworks Animated film. With so many cartoons about anthropomorphic animals, and with the film’s generic-sounding plot, I didn’t care for ‘Zootopia’ whatsoever. But what I should’ve known, and what the film makes an effort to teach, is that you cannot judge a book by its cover.
In this day in age, where racial tensions seem higher than ever in our country, ‘Zootopia’ couldn’t have arrived at a better time. It’s even more impressive when you remember it takes several years for animated films to even be released. Though it’s a children’s film, it features some pretty heavy and dark subject matter. At its most basic level, ‘Zootopia’ preaches about racism and prejudices. The film explores why it’s wrong to have preconceived and negative notions about people based on their appearance, their biology, their DNA. The film has allusions to our current-day Islamophobia, as well as how fear can cause more harm than anything. It even features story elements that mimic the fear-mongering spiels encouraged by certain Presidential candidates running for office right now.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This isn’t an original quote, but it’s one of the film’s most important ones. I really do hope that such heavy subject matter comes across to the children who watch this film. And if it doesn’t, I can only hope their parents can further explain systematic racism to them by using examples from the film. Heck, millions of adults in our country could use this film to educate themselves, too.
At this point I should probably stop underestimating Disney. With the successes of ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, ‘Frozen’, and ‘Big Hero 6’, we’re clearly in a new Disney Golden Age. With the studio’s next features – ‘Moana’ and ‘Gigantic’, I’m going to be more optimisic and I can’t wait to be further surprised. We’re only three months into the year, but I’m gonna call it: ‘Zootopia’ is one of the best – and most important – films of 2016. Is it too soon to give it the next Oscar for Best Animated Feature?
