Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Shakira, Octavia Spencer
Zootropolis
Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Rating: 5/5
It has been a terrific couple of years for Disney animation with the likes of Frozen and Big Hero 6 enjoying critical, commercial and award success... and they have another gem on their hands in the form of Zootropolis.
Zootropolis is the fifty-fifth animated feature from Disney and is a film that has already smashed through the $500 million barrier and enjoyed huge success at the U.S. box office in recent weeks.
The modern mammal metropolis of Zootropolis is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighbourhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it's a melting pot where animals from every environment live together - a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything.
But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn't so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (Bateman), to solve the mystery.
Zootropolis really does continue Disney' hot-streak of movies and really is up there with some of the studio's best. From start to finish this film is a total delight that will entertain the whole family.
I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down to watch the film, but the directors have created an interesting world, complex characters as well as a wonderful message at its heart.
Zootropolis is not afraid to deliver a very moral lesson about intolerance and prejudice - this message is beautifully delivered by showing that all these animals have learned to live together in peace and harmony.
This movie looks at how we should include not exclude, how there should be equality fir everyone and we should not judge anyone by what they look like or where they are from. I was not expecting such a sharp and interesting examination of these huge issues when I setting in to watch this film.
It is not often that you can say that a kids film does have such a profound message of acceptance at its core; I found it to be a welcome breath of fresh air and loved the positive vibe that this brought to the film.
Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are just wonderful as central characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde - a cop and a con-man who need to work together. These two actors make a terrific comedy team and Zootropolis looks on course to be one of the best buddy movies of 2016.
There has always been a very special place in my heart for Disney movies as I grew up watching the classics. However, it looks like Disney is entering a new golden age of animation movies as Zootropolis follows on from Frozen and Big Hero 6 - both of which were terrific films and set the bar for all other animation studios to follow.
Zootropolis delivers more of the same as the animation and visual are just exquisite and will truly transport you and take you on a fun and rather wild adventure. No matter how old you are, Zootropolis is a must-see this weekend as it is just a joy.
Zootropolis is out now.