Zootopia Review

     Over the past six years or so, Disney has retaken the crown as the best animation studio currently working. For the better part of a decade Pixar was the undisputed king of the genre, but other than "Inside-Out" Pixar's films have been rather lackluster. But Disney has stepped up their game with movies like "Tangled" and "Wreck-it-Ralph," as well as best animated picture winners "Frozen" and "Big Hero 6." Now in early 2016 Disney comes out swinging with their highly anticipated movie "Zootopia," that has been making the rounds over the past two weeks in which it has been met with near universal acclaim. As of writing this review it currently holds a 99% approval rating from over 140 critics on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes; which is one of the best ratings I've seen for an animated movie in years. So going into this movie I had some rather high expectations, and after seeing it I was blown away by what might be Disney's best movie in well over 15 years. 

     Judy Hopps is a rabbit from a backwoods town with big dreams of becoming a police officer. The problem is that smaller mammals like her don't become cops. That line of work is reserved for larger, more intimidating animals. Yet she manages to defy the odds, and passes the police academy. After she graduates she heads off to Zootopia, a city where prey and predators live in harmony in the big city. Filled with hope, Hopps is ready to start work as an officer of the law; but her precinct captain could care less about her, and puts her on traffic duty. Still determined, she tries to make the best of a bad situation. But everything changes when she forces her way onto a case involving a series of missing animals. It's then she teams up with a con artist fax named Nick who knows everyone in town, that she sets out to make a name for herself and prove her naysayers wrong.

     I have been looking forward to this movie for a while; based solely on the fact that Disney has been on a hot streak. And after watching it I can without a doubt in my mind that this is their best movie in a very long time. Like all of Disney's recent movies, the animation is absolutely beautiful. The design of the animals and the world was top notch. It really sucks you in and makes you feel like you are in Zootopia with the characters. Like their last couple of movies, Disney manages to find a balance between humorous and emotional moments. There were more than a few occasions where people in the theater where laughing out of their seats, and at least one scene that got a few people crying. "Zootopia" is funny when it wants to be, and emotional when it needs to be. The writing and dialog are also very clever, and this is probably one of Disney's best written animated movies. And the dialog is delivered perfectly from the voice actors who play several likable and memorable characters. I'll be surprised if this upcoming Halloween, we don't see more than a few Judy Hopps running around. One thing I loved would be the complex themes that they put into what is essentially a kid's movie. Racism, sexism, stereotyping, and a few more topics are all covered in this movie. It really does have a positive message that teaches kids to accept people, and I can respect that. If I had to find fault with this movie, it would be that at times it became cliché and predictable. Just over half way through the movie I leaned over and was talking to my friend sitting next to me, telling him what would happen. And when it did he just gave me the finger. Other than that, "Zootopia" is something special. It is a new Disney classic that is fun for all ages. If you haven't seen it yet, fix that. Because if I was a betting man, I'd put money on the fact that "Zootopia" will be on my list of the best movies of 2016. 

Pros: Beautiful animation, great world design, very funny, a few emotional moments, clever dialog and writing, great voice acting, several complex themes, several memorable and likable characters, fun for adults and kids, a new Disney classic. 

Cons: Cliché and predictable at times.

4.5/5 Stars