From the Shelf: Zootopia

I have to say I'm amazed that this film works as well as it does. In my mind if a film takes on serious subjects like racism and intolerance it can very easily devolve into a head smashing competition. Where the film is more interested in making its audience learn a lesson rather than telling a story. I am happy to report however Zootopia is not of the above and in fact  very poignantly   gets its ideas across while telling a very engaging and entertaining story.
            Perhaps Zootopia works because it is confident, and it knows its characters and its world . A world in which its inhabitants are very regimented. They know where they belong and that is where they're going to stay. Though the main character Judy Hoppes believes her choices will define who she is not how or where she grew up. You see Judy is a rabbit who wants to be a Zootopia police officer. Though only lager animals up until this point have been members of the police force. Though Judy does not take no for an answer and that is where the story begins.
            Zootopia does not sugar coat the issues   racism is racism and intolerance is intolerance, and maybe that is why the film is so effective. It does not talk down to its audience it presents things as they are, however it also does not negate the possibility of change and understanding.     
            All in all the film is one of the best examples of what animation is capable of if it is taken as a medium and not a babysitting tool. Zootopia is a great addition to Disney's interesting crop of recent animated features.

Release Year: 2016

Directed by: Rick Moore, Jared Bush and Brian Howard

Story by: Brian Howard and Jared Bush

Starring:

Ginnifer Goodwin
Jason Bateman
JK Simmons
Idris Elba
Jenny Slate

Available on Blu-ray and DVD and Digital streaming

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