Sarah Casagrande, Campus Carrier Entertainment Editor
I still remember anxiously waiting in the theater for the new “Star Wars” movie to premiere back in December and seeing the infamous trailer that featured animated, comically slow sloths at the DMV. My dad, who usually detests Disney films, could not stop laughing in the seat next to me. He surprised me when he said, “I’d actually go see that movie.”
I was initially skeptical of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s 55th movie, “Zootopia”, and its ability to be as enamoring and effective as Disney’s previous works. The idea of a crime-fighting bunny with a con artist fox as her reluctant assistant seemed a bit odd and far-fetched.
But I was amazed at its success, both critically and commercially. According to Deadline, it beat “Frozen” for biggest non-Pixar Disney opening of all time at $71.5 million. It managed to be a cute kids’ movie about anthropomorphic animals and a suspenseful, compelling crime mystery, and it handled both beautifully.
One of my favorite things about “Zootopia” is its moral message. The movie’s themes of stereotypes and prejudice come at a very effective time based on our current society. It teaches kids that every animal, from the small shrew to the gigantic giraffe, is important, without being preachy or cliché.
One of the most effective scenes is when Judy Hopps, the protagonist bunny, looks across the landscape in awe as her train approaches Zootopia. The story of a small-town girl starting a new life in the big city is always awe-inspiring, and the scene is made even better by Disney’s stunning animation and attention to detail.
But for all its morals, “Zootopia” is not just sugar and cuteness. The larger, more intimidating animals in the city are relentlessly cruel, stereotyping Hopps as a cute, naive little bunny who will never survive in the big city.
I am glad that Disney decided to go this route. “Zootopia” teaches kids that the world is not always a nice place. The sad reality is that everyone has their limitations. A rabbit will never be as big as an elephant or as strong as a rhinoceros. But Hopps still managed to use her speed, small size and sense of hearing to be an effective police officer. She had her strengths, and she took advantage of them. This is a great moral for kids, and it is not overly sunny and optimistic.
The movie teaches another lesson that isn’t mentioned too often. Stereotypes can go both ways. The predators of Zootopia saw prey as inferior and weak, while prey saw predators as dangerous and cruel.
The idea that both can live together and overcome their differences is well illustrated by Hopps’ friendship with fox con artist Nick Wilde. Hopps had to overcome her belief that foxes could not be trusted, while Wilde had to learn to see Hopps as more than just a “dumb bunny.” Their friendship is charming, and refreshingly for Disney, did not end in any obvious romance.
Overall, “Zootopia” is a unique, modern and wonderful addition to Disney’s line of movies, and it is definitely worth watching at any age. Just don’t see it at 2 p.m. on a weekend. One would be amazed at how many rambunctious children can fit into a single movie theater.