Zootopia Review

Disney has finally released its newest movie, and it was epic. Zootopia may be the newest in a long list of cartoon animal movies, but it definitely stood out against all the others. Opening weekend it grossed $75,063,401, and so far has a worldwide gross of $443,356,193. Zootopia was, of course, aimed at children, but has garnered popularity among adults and young adults, especially because of the movie´s allusions to other movies and tv shows.

Zootopia is about a rabbit, Judy Hopps, and her reluctant partner in crime and fox, Nick Wilde as they try to track down several missing mammals. Their adventures take them to a rat run polar bear enforced crime syndicate, the assistant mayors boiler room office, a carrot farm, and more. Judy Hopps spends the movie trying to prove herself and simultaneously save her job, and Nick spends the movie trying to keep Judy from turning him in for tax evasion. There are dramatic twists, a mayor is arrested, there are wolves who can’t stop howling, and a Little Rodentia, which is just as adorable as it sounds.

Zootopia’s plot centers around prejudice, and where initially prey were the downtrodden side, towards the end of the movie a new prejudice against predators comes to light, and turns the deeper message on it’s head. The movie initially highlights Judy’s struggle to become the first prey cop in Zootopia, however towards the end a prejudice against predators comes to light through Judy’s fox friend, Nick. Throughout the story, the serious subjects are hidden in between animal humor, adorable animation, and entertaining dialogue.

There are several entertainment allusions in Zootopia. From beloved movies, to upcoming movies, to tv shows. There are allusions to The Godfather in the form of an Italian rat named Mr. Big who runs a crime syndicate and has a daughter who’s getting married. There was an allusion to the popular tv show Breaking Bad when a RV full of drugs is run by a ram named Doug, whose employees are Woolter and Jesse. There is also an entire table full of pirates movies which include references to a Frozen 2, Wreck-It Ralph, and the upcoming Moana, among others.

Zootopia may be a children’s movie, but it’s literary and societal allusions and hidden messages are really more topics for the older generations (as well as the rabbit population jokes). This movie has it all, as well as an 8.4 on IMDb and a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. I highly recommend this movie. Even if the high ratings, hilarious allusions, and adorable animation don’t draw you in, then go see it for the DMV run by sloths, because that alone is worth it.