Fun for the whole family.
Zootopia
Grade: B+
Directors: Bryan Howard (Tangled), Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph)
Screenplay: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston (Cedar Rapids)
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin (Something Borrowed), Jason Bateman (The Gift)
Rating: PG
Runtime: 108 min
by John DeSando
“Life’s little bit messy. We all make mistakes. No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you.” Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin)
In the land of Zootopia, where all anthropomorphic animals are ostensibly equal, little bunny Judy aspires to be a cop. And she makes it. And she learns her idealism of making a difference is a messy business, like life itself. While this ‘toon is clever by any measure, it goes for the heart of living by emphasizing the humanity of endeavors rather than visual techniques (although there’s plenty of that).
Although our political language is laced with the need for diversity, Zootopia actually shows young people in an allegorical adventure that all species, all races, all kinds of people can prosper together given the right motivation. It is still messy, but it is possible that animals (people), predators and prey, can exist in harmony with a little motivation.
The conflict that anchors this exciting actioner is that some previously docile predators have become savage. Officer Hopps, with the help of a sly fox, Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), traces the source of the change to a plant that could only be likened to heroin (not Cannabis, which has been lionized so to speak recently). The thrill of the chase is trumped by the witty dialogue, almost screwball comedy quick (e.g., the answer to “What do you call a three humped camel?” while not quick and brilliant, is an amusing example of the pervasively comic tone).
The slowest sequence may be the funniest: The two “detectives” end up at the Zootopia DMV, run by all sloths. About his friend, Nick says, “Are you saying that because he's a sloth, he can't be fast?” Well, nobody’s fast at this bureau, including the jokes, which depend on the sloths’ glacial reactions. If you’ve ever waited at the DMV, you will savor this satire.
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.rr.com
