By Melissa Antoinette Garza
After all the negative news that’s been going on within the country, I thought a review on an animated film would be refreshing. I was quite shocked about how openly relevant it was to many of the issues plaguing America today, and how open it was with spreading a positive message.
In all honesty, when ZOOTOPIA (2016) was released, I didn’t pay much attention. It seemed as though a bunch of animated movies were advertised at once, all of which looked watchable, but unimpressive.
There was HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 (2015), INSIDE OUT (2015), PETS (2016), TROLLS (2016), the list went on and on. I kept hearing about them and seeing trailers, but just never paid much attention.
It wasn’t until a few days back when my brother told me that he enjoyed ZOOTOPIA that I decided to give it a shot. I was floored. This wasn’t just the average fun, kids’ movies with slight nods to the adults. Instead, ZOOTOPIA doesn’t talk down to children but demand them to think about many issues that are left undiscussed. It encourages the youth to question authority, rise above misconceptions, fight prejudice and it even conveys how discrimination spawns from stereotypes.
These messages and the conflicts that arise due to them aren’t subplots or a quick jab, here and there, but the entire premise of the movie.
ZOOTOPIA starts by explaining how animals that were once predators evolved from savagery to live in harmony with what had been prey.
Young bunny, Judy Hops (Ginnifer Goodwin) dreams of escaping the carrot farm to become a police officer. Her well-meaning parents attempt to dissuade her from the dream, but nothing stops her. Even when she is pushed down by a bully Fox, she doesn’t give up.
When the day comes that she does become a police officer, she moves to ZOOTOPIA and at the urging of her parents bring a fox deterrent spray.
Ready to tackle any job that comes her way, Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) puts her on parking ticket duty. She contests as there are many mammals missing and she wants to help find one, but alas she is given a small slow car and made into a meter maid.
There she first meets Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) who is going into an Elephant Ice Cream shop. Hops assumes the worst and goes inside to see what trouble he is causing.
Inside, elephant, rhinos and other large animals wait in line. Nick, beside a small and seemingly little fox asks for a gigantic red pop. The owner declines service and Hops upset with her own behavior steps in. She threatens to shut the place down if Nick isn’t provided a pop. He’s given one and Hops feels good. Outside, she unknowingly acts like a patronizing jerk when she calls Nick “articulate.” Later, she realizes that the whole thing was a scam, and calls Nick out on it who has no problem admitting it was a hustle.Later much to the dismay of the chief, Hops tells an otter she will find her missing husband. The chief gives Hops 48 hours or she’s must put in her resignation.
The only information in the file is the last known picture which reveals he had seen Nick. She blackmails the fox to help her and the two become unlikely friends.
When it’s revealed that some of the predators have turned violent, Hops has to find out the real reason. The media jumps on her mention that it may be biology and soon there are riots with the majority of society, the prey, fearful of the 10%, the predators.
Racism, controlling by fear, and government corruption are all major topics examined thoroughly within the film. It’s such a smart and fun movie. This is actually something that should be shown in schools to young students as it not only encourages acceptance and understanding, but discourages blindly following what the news and government officials say.
It certainly has its entertaining moments and both my nephew who is 11 and niece who is 6, enjoyed it immensely. This is definitely one of those films made for everyone.
In the end, I was looking for a refreshing, feel-good movie that could make me temporarily forget the insanity. Instead, I found something better. I found a movie that addressed much of the insanity, but provided a positive outlook and a hopeful ending.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9/10
