Zootopia is great fun for all ages

Movie Title:      Zootopia

Grade:   A

Rating:   PG-1 hour 48 minutes

In a Nutshell:    This smart, colorful animation has a touch of Disney magic with new, adorable characters that are sure to make this family-friendly comedy a classic.  

Zootopia is to 2016 what Inside Out was to 2015. 

Fun for all ages, you’ll want to see it again to catch everything you missed the first time because so much was going on in each frame.

Voice talents include Once Upon a Time: Season 1 ’s Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, and even Frozen ’s Kristen Bell.

Uplifting theme: 

•  “Anyone can be anything.” – Judy
• “Try to make the world a better place.  Look inside yourself and know that change starts with you.”  - Judy
• Anti-bullying, tolerance.

Things I liked:

• Characters are well defined and developed….and adorable.
• The little skit at the beginning of the movie was ridiculously cute.
• The sloths at the DMV were HILARIOUS.  All of the parents in the audience were practically rolling on the floor.  We’ve all experienced the joys of the DMV before.
• I love how Judy’s bunny nose twitches and her foot taps fast.  Adorable.  Her ears are so expressive.  According to her, I'm not allowed to call her cute.
• Shakira as a singing rock star gazelle.  Her gazelle app probably exists already.
• It’s almost a primer for kids on film noir crime mysteries.
• Keep watching during the credits at the end.
• Paying extra for 3D isn’t necessary to enjoy the fun and magic; however, the crisp, detailed animation is even more brilliant in 3D.
• There is plenty to enjoy about this film at first glance, but there are even weighty, political topics under the surface that you can talk about during the drive home.
• The animation design is excellent.  It was fun seeing the design of all of the different kinds of animals.  The armadillo cracked me up.  Here is one of my sons holding a real baby armadillo.

Things I didn’t like:

• There is a funny, yet sort of inappropriate nudist scene at the naturalist club.  Of course, kids are use to seeing animals “naked”, but the context seemed odd.
• Considering it’s a kid’s movie, you can expect a few fart jokes.

Funny lines:

• “That is the most stupidest thing I ever heard.” – Gideon Grey
•  “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Judy (quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt)

“And bears.” – Stu Hopps

• “She has no need for a fox taster.” – Bonnie Hopps

“Oh come on!  When is there no need for a fox taster?” – Stu Hopps

• Who still uses CD’s? - Nick
• “I was small and emotionally unbalanced like you once.” – Nick to Judy
• “I will take your kindness and pay it forward.” – Mr. Big
• “We’re changing the world one carrot at a time.” - Bonnie Hopps
• “Ice this weasel.” – Mr. Big
• “Do you think when she goes to sleep she counts herself? – Nick about Assistant Mayor Bellweather the sheep
• "What did I say?  No icing nobody during the wedding!" - Mr. Big's bride

       "I have to, Baby.  Daddy has to." - Mr. Big

Things that cracked me up:

• “Lemmings Brother Bank”
• “Hoof Locker” store.  Check out all the names of the stores on the streets
• Bunny Burrow population sign adding new numbers by the second.
• “Fox away” can of spray
• “Carrots for 1” frozen dinner
• When the wolves can’t resist howling.
• Funny animal versions of movie posters they walk by
• Gazelle/Shakira’s male tiger dancers at the end of the movie

Interesting lines:

• “My dear, we may be evolved, but deep down, we’re still animals.” – Mr. Big
• “It’s great to have dreams, just as long as you don’t believe in them too much.” – Stu Hopps
• “Real life’s a little more complicated than a slogan on a bumper sticker.  Life is messy.” - Judy

Tips for parents:   

• No profanity, unless you count “Sweet cheeses and crackers” to be offensive.
• There is kind of a “Breaking Bad” meth-making scene, including the names Walter and Jesse from the TV show.  Young kids won’t catch it, but teens will.
• It's a Disney film, so yep....there will be TONS of merchandising to meet your darling little angels' needs.  Here are a few cute things to get you started:

Mike and Sully go to lovable Monster's University

I imagined the director and producers of Monster’s Inc sitting around a board room table, trying to come up with a plot for the next installment of the Pixar’s lovable monster flick.  During the brainstorm, someone in the room must have said “Monsters scare you….Scare U” and suddenly the college template was framed for the newly released prequel.

How the one-eyed Mike Guzowski and furry “kitty” giant, James Sullivan (Sully), first met in college is a ragtag underdog story that includes party monsters in frat houses, a rousing alma mater fight song with spunky cheerleaders, jocks, boring Ferris Bueller-esque professors, and inspiring competition between students who want to win the annual Scare Games.  The campus is full of all the clichéd groups you ever saw during your undergrad years, complete with an emo Goth goul and dragon-winged, centipede-bodied dean who is easily the scariest monster in the entire school.  You know you had a dean like that.

Randy Newman’s theme song gets you in the mood for some magical monster animation from beginning to end.  And by the way, be sure to stick around at the end of the rolling credits for the final touch.  I love it when movies reward their diehard fans who want just a little bit more and are willing to stay in their seats until the bitter end.  

The cast includes the exceptional voice talents of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Sean Hayes, Bonnie Hunt, and Jennifer Tilly.  Mike and Sully are fleshed out with back-story details that leave us loving them even more.  Can you say “Merchandising Jackpot!”?

One of my sons is currently an animation student in college, so I always love to hear his opinion on the artistry and CGI in films.  He gave Monster’s University two big thumbs up and bows to Pixar’s talent and creativity.  Fingers crossed my son can get a job with Pixar when he graduates next spring!

The film doesn’t rely on the fans’ love of the first movie; it introduces new characters you’ll fall in love with, as well as new dimensions to the Monsters’ world that are sure to create new areas in theme parks.

It’s an adorable movie that the entire family will enjoy.


Grade:   A-