I loathe what Disney has become. Social critic, historian and my seminary mentor Jon Pahl, calls Mickey Mouse “the Golden Calf” of America. But I will be damned if Disney doesn’t put out some of the best and most visually exciting animated movies. The latest of which is Zootopia, currently in theaters, and written and directed by Byron Howard (Tangled), Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), and Jared Bush. It is one of the studio’s finest efforts. I can bitch all day about how ethically compromised and tyrannical Disney is. But, when they gives us adorable bunnies who kick all kinds of ass in a mystery that puts even the first season of HBO’s True Detective to shame, hand me the popcorn because I’m in for the whole ride.Pixar triumphed last year, creating their best film yet with Inside Out. But Zootopia is an even better film. I despise the cliche phrase “fun for the whole family” (who doesn’t?) but that is precisely what Disney’s Zootopia is. And it isn’t just fun. Zootopia also has a depth of thought, and confronts families with the present realities of sexism, racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, police brutality and the violence related to each.
Ginnifer Goodwin (HBO’s Big Love and ABC’s Once Upon a Time) plays the voice of Officer Judy Hopps, an bunny who will be the first of her kind to leave the family carrot farming business and move to the more metropolitan and progressive Zootopia to become a police officer. Judy Hopps joins the ranks of Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games and Daisy Ridley’s Rey in Star Wars as a film heroine who makes us all believe that a timely, vital feminist narrative is beginning anew in our world. Even my seven-year-old niece exclaimed after seeing Zootopia, “I have decided that I want to be a cop when I grow up!”
The narrative of policing is a bit of a fresh wound for American citizens, coming off the coattails of all of the violence and public injustice committed by police officers in 2015, and it is bold of Howard, Moore, and Bush to spin a family tale that centers so squarely in the midst of policing and discrimination. Judy and the other police officer animals of Zootopia are portrayed as noble, but fallible, critters. This is one of the many ways the film resists media spin on current events, and this honest portrayal serves in painting our own American police officers as they are — human beings capable of tremendous good and great evil.
Officer Bogo (Idris Elba) is the angry bull and police chief who doubts Judy’s ability in the field because she is a female bunny and female bunnies are supposed to be “cute.” Bogo places her on parking duty as a “meter maid.” Judy is determined, despite her low-ranking tasks, to do her very best and exceed all other parking authorities by handing out two hundred parking tickets in one morning. It is this determination that leads her to frustrate all of the citizens of her new city while simultaneously putting her face-to-face with Nick Wilde, a red fox in a sloppy shirt and tie (Jason Bateman). Judy’s parents had warned her that foxes are always “shifty” and “not to be trusted.” They even go so far as to give Judy her own can of “fox repellant.”
Nick the fox turns out to be Judy the bunny’s key to solving a weeks old mystery in the Zootopia Police Department. A local otter has gone missing. Disney gives a nod to the late Jim Henson by naming the otter Emmett. Judy and Nick go on an adventure where they are both exposed to animals of many different types, skills, and backgrounds. Even Tommy Chong makes a damn near perfect appearance as Yax, a stoned water buffalo who runs an all natural health club and, oh yeah, he just happens to be a nudist. Maurice LaMarche plays the voice of Mr. Big, a tiny shrew and mafia don who is preparing for “the day of my daughter’s wedding.” You get the point.
The best scene takes place in a Zootopia ice cream shoppe. Nick attempts to convince the owner to sell his toddler “son” (a kit fox in disguise) a jumbo pop. The owner gives Nick the schtick about his right to refuse service to anybody and Judy witnesses this. In a seemingly heroic move, Judy defends Nick’s honor, only seconds later to tell Nick that he is such a “nice fox” and “so articulate,” as if that were a compliment. The best and worst part about this scene is the familiarity for audiences. Whether in the media or in real life, we’ve encountered such a scene. In the midst of all of the fuzzy cuteness, Zootopia is a sobering reminder that the struggle to recognize those who look different from us as equals and to empower one another to live our lives to the fullest is far from over.
I love this film because of the astounding visual detail. I love this film because it is hilarious. I love this film because it is relevant and an adorable, fuzzy middle finger to Donald Trump and his presidential campaign of hatred and intolerance. I love this film because it is not subtle in its critique of what our society has become. I love this film because it empowers women. I love this film because it reminds us that police officers are fallible but should be held responsible for their actions. My one critique of Zootopia is that it was only steps away from being a powerful salute to the Black Lives Matter movement. Both of the main characters’ voices were played by white actors. Yes, Idris Elba makes an appearance as Officer Bogo, but once again, a major studio predominantly run by white folks refused to go the extra mile.
That being said, Zootopia is a wonderful film. It is empowering, full of sobering reminders, and brilliantly made. It is simply a joy to watch.
Josiah Richard Armstrong is a hospital chaplain from Western New York. He is also a playwright and amateur cartoonist. Follow him on Twitter @JosiahArmstrong and Medium, where he writes more reviews for film and television.
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