The newest animation film from Disney (the American among you may know it as Zootopia), about a bunny trying to make it as a cop has funnily enough just been released, just in time for Easter. However, don’t assume it’s just another Hop, this film has absolutely no relevance to Easter. It is in fact a fairly simple, humorous and easy to watch Disney film about an under-estimated character proving all the other animals wrong.
As most Disney films do, this one boasts an impressive voice cast including Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, as well as Jason Bateman, Idris Elba and J.K. Simmons. Shakira also joins the crew, not only singing the theme song for the movie but she also plays a pop star gazelle, imaginatively named Gazelle. The impressive voice acting from these well-known actors brings the main characters to life in such a fun and believable way. However, even the smaller characters voiced by lesser-known actors made certain animals such as an obese cheetah working on reception at the Zootopia Police Department, and Flash, an extremely slow sloth become so likeable, you look forward to scenes where they pop up.
The voice cast, however, isn’t the only commendable asset of this film, with it also having a wonderful story that carries the movie and brings you into this animal world no matter how young or old you are. Not only does it tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, and have you tapping your toes, it also takes you away from your real life, and makes you feel that not only is this world real, but it’s a world you would enjoy getting lost in. Although it isn’t the best Disney film ever, nor will it be the best animation film of the year, with such competition as The Secret Life of Pets, The Angry Birds Movie and Pixar’s Finding Dory set to brace the big screen later in the year, it is certainly worth a watch.
Visually the film is so bright and colourful, at times it becomes mesmerising, and you can’t pull your eyes away, nor do you want to. Disney has always been commended for their imagination and creativity when it comes to creating these completely new worlds from scratch, and they’ve managed to impress once again. Not only do we get introduced to a huge city full of all kinds of animals living harmoniously together (most of the time), but we also see a more countryside part of this world in which only bunnies live. Anyone who is anyone can relate these polar opposites of the world to their own life, whether it be London vs Derbyshire, or Texas vs New York City, which helps you to become even more immersed in the story.
The most important part of this film, however, may be the numerous moralistic messages it encompasses. No Disney film is without a lesson to learn, but this film not only includes a simple yet true tip of not underestimating anyone, but also a deeper message that could be seen as very relevant to the time in which the film has been released. The film talks about stereotyping, and the dangers of it, which is a lesson that a lot of this world could benefit from, under the numerous terrorist attacks occurring, and the growing hatred towards whole religions and races. This is where Disney must be applauded over and over again; although children may not notice it at the time, they’re being taught something important that they will hopefully carry through life, and it also reiterates these moralistic messages to adults.
Now, that’s the deep stuff out of the way, on a more lighter note, this film is great fun with some brilliant characters that you can’t get enough of. It’s such an enjoyable movie, whatever age you are, that takes you away from real life and puts you in the middle of a magnificent and exciting new world. So if you get chance, go and see it, even if you feel the need to take your little niece with you to make it seem more acceptable.
Zootropolis is on general release now.
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