Zootopia

Movie, 2016, PG

Premise - Officer Hops is the first bunny rabbit to ever become a police offer in the city of Zootopia, showing great progress in the affirmative action movement to give prey equal opportunity to predators. This illusion of equality is shattered when Officer Hops realizes the systemic depth of her own oppression, as well as every other species. Meanwhile, the predators deal with their own oppression as they start to regress into savages.


Review - This film is the absolute perfect allegory on racism, told in a way that's digestible for kids and parents alike. It's a film about what limitations and strengths can be attributed to an individual because of their biology, and the role of genetics in individual differences. When we reduce ourselves to our biology, it raises a lot of fears about our own level of control. If we are merely a product of evolution, there comes the possibility of regression, or evolving backwards. It also solidifies the inevitability that different species can never be equal. Furthermore, even outside of biological forces, stereotypes can thrive through self-fulfilling prophecy, alienation, and victimization.

On a separate plane, the film is about about how even if affirmative action laws are put into place, or a diversity council or whatever "progress" it might be, certain species will always get the short end of the stick. If anybody operates out of fear, or knowingly uses fear tactics to aid themselves, they are doing an injustice. Dare I say it's even a commentary on how racism exists in all forms... even systematically "reversed" racism?

It's the kind of film I really want everyone of all ages to watch. The value of an allegory is that by using fictional cutse-y animals, we're allowed to distance ourselves from highly sensitive topics and dissect them more objectively. And nothing is more sensitive than racism right now, so this film has immense value. (94/100)

Quote - "No matter what kind of person you are, I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place" - Judy

What to watch for - I find Judy one of the most relatable characters like... ever. So I watch for her. But the DMV scene is a classic.

If you liked this movie, I'd recommend Tangled!

Directors: Bryan Howard, Rich Moore
Distribution Company: Disney