Disney’s “Zootopia” is a crime caper, a buddy movie and a delightful comedy seamlessly rolled into one fabulous film that is so much fun you’d like to be able to stay and see it twice.
Disney’s “Zootopia” is a crime caper, a buddy movie and a delightful comedy seamlessly rolled into one fabulous film that is so much fun you’d like to be able to stay and see it twice.
Our heroine is Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), a bunny with a big dream. She’s determined to become a cop in the city of Zootopia, a place where predator and prey live in harmony. Her parents (voiced by Bonnie Hunt/Don Lake) are proud of her, but don’t encourage her to leave home. For them dreams are nice as long as you don’t pursue them, especially a dream of becoming a cop when you are a bunny.
However, nothing deters plucky Judy who takes off to join the force immediately after graduation. The clever, imaginative story that follows is as sly and charming as Nick Wild (Jason Bateman), a fox and a con artist who winds up helping Judy solve a major caper against his will.
As the story begins, tiny, but spirited Judy is outsized by her fellow cops–elephants, rhinos, big cats and Police Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), a surly buffalo who assigns Judy to meter maid duty. To show him how good she is, she becomes a meter maid with a vengeance–writing hundreds of tickets in one day–including one for her own vehicle.
She’s not only is persistent, she’s scrupulously honest.
Things change when resourceful Judy uncovers some information about a missing otter whose wife (Octavia Spencer) is worried sick about his disappearance. Against his will, Chief Bogo gives Judy 48 hours to find him, but If she fails to do so she will be fired.
At this point she cons the sly Nick Wilde into helping her and soon a wonderful partnership and friendship is formed.
What makes this film such a delightful gem is the way each and every character in the story is presented. They are all animals, but they act and think just like a human being while retaining the personalities and characteristics of the animals they represent. And the storyline is filled with humor and clever twists and turns worthy of a funny film noir.
Another big plus is the look of the film. Like Disneyland and Disney World, Zootopia has monorails, people movers and a variety of realms–inner cities where each group of animals lives is a city-like habitat suitable to their species. And be on the lookout for all the little inside jokes and references to other movies and film characters.
One of the funniest is the mafia boss, Mr. Big, who sounds just like Marlon Brando. Also check out Judy’s cell phone. Instead of an apple logo, it’s a carrot.
While the children will love the characters and storyline, adults will have even more fun than their kids. So kids, be sure to take your parents with you when you see this movie. Probably the most hilarious scene in “Zootopia” takes place in the Department of Motor Vehicles which is run by sloths.
There are countless insights and clever observations of the human condition in this delightful movie, which will, I am sure, be nominated for an Oscar. In fact I predict it will be a big winner next year.
“Zootopia, rated PG, ” is perfect for most age groups. However some of the action and jeopardy may be a bit too scary for the very young.
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Only at the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. will you get the chance to see the sly fox Nick Wilde and Officer Judy Hopps live on stage.
Another added plus at this location is the pre-show featuring live animals from the Wildlife Learning Center like Lola the sloth, a bunny and a red fox. After the film, go downstairs where there is an exhibition of artist sketches and information on how the animators were able to create all the wonderful animated animals seen on the screen.
And bring your camera or phone because you can photograph the kids, or just yourself, with lobby figures of Nick the fox and that clever bunny Judy Hopps. For tickets call 1-800-DISNEY6 or online at www.elcapitantickets.com. As you leave, be sure to visit the adjacent Disney Studio Store and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and check out all kinds of items from the movie like Nick the fox and Judy Hoppys stuffed toys and figures. You will also receive a free Ghiradelli chocolate as well.
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Now on DVD: Disney.Pixar, the creators of the Oscar winning animated film “Inside Out,” have just released their latest animated gem “The Good Dinosaur” on Blu-ray and DVD. It is the heart warming story of Arlo, an Apatosaurus dinosaur who must face his fears on his own following the loss of his father.
This clever animated film also poses an interesting question. What would the world be like if that asteroid from millions of years ago had missed hitting the earth and dinosaurs never became extinct? In the film, this does happen and Arlo is able to befriend a little human.
Hey, if the asteroid had hit the earth, this charming “what if tale” would never have been told. The movie is imaginative, funny and fun. Rated PG, for peril, action and thematic elements.
The Blu-ray and DVD also comes with over two hours of bonus features that include “The Filmmaker’s Journey” in which director Peter Sohn and his team share their experience of making the movie and “True Lies About Dinosaurs” where you learn what separates the movie’s dinosaurs from the real ones.
You also get to explore the movie’s animation challenges, see deleted scenes and much more. Rated PG for some action and peril.
