Disney’s “crime” movie

   Another Disney movie about animals. Wonderful. Actually, Disney’s 2016 release Zootopia presents creatures in a way we never saw in Snow White or Cinderella. In this movie, the animals wear clothes, walk on two feet, and, yes, speak. They are also divided into two groups–predators and prey–which reside in relative peace in a huge metropolis known as Zootopia.

   Main character Judy Hopp’s story may sound familiar–a girl from a small town (Bunnyburrow, in this case) wants to move to the city to pursue her dreams, while overcoming obstacles fate has thrown at her. Judy’s dream is to become the first rabbit police officer, and she is hindered by the fact that she is a rabbit. Because of her species, she is believed to be “too small” to do her dream job. However, you see her overcome the disadvantage of her height and graduate top of her class at the police academy. She is assigned to Zootopia.

   Life in the big city as a new police officer isn’t anything like Judy expects. For one thing, on her first day, she is assigned to parking duty, much to her dismay. However, considering the rest of the movie, this may be the best thing that could happen to her. For on this day, she meets a sly fox named Nick Wilde. The next day
 she uses his criminal history to blackmail him into helping her on a case she has taken up-investigating the mysterious disappearance of certain predators.

   While working together, Judy and Nick solve the crime and develop a genuine friendship. They also encounter political corruption, discrimination, and violence.

   This movie has a wonderful message. It is about following your dreams, and that you can always be more than what society expects you to be. As a rabbit, Judy struggles to be respected as a police officer. As a fox, Nick fights to be seen as something over than a con artist.  This is a theme many people can connect to.

   It also teaches you that there is evil and corruption even in the most unexpected places. Without spoiling anything, I will say that Judy finds herself surprised and betrayed by two leaders whom she respected and thought of as friends.

    Finally, there is also the theme of how prejudice and discrimination can tear apart a community. Because of an insidious plot, the predators find themselves the targets of suspicion and fear. This affects Zootopia in very negative ways, and nearly destroys the bond between Judy (a prey) and Nick (a predator). Considering the country’s current attitude towards blacks and Muslims, among other minority I believe this movie contains a very serious political undertone. In Zootopia, this problem is solved through encouraging unity and peace. This, not hostility and suspicion, is the course I believe our leaders should be taking to rid America of destructive racism.

   This is a Disney movie through and through. In addition to the deeper themes-which adults appreciate and kids will understand later, Zootopia contains many instances of light humor. One instance is when, as part of their investigation, Judy and Nick go to the DMV where, much to Judy’s dismay, the workers are all revealed to be sloths (literally). I really respect Disney for making this movie, as it teaches the all-important lesson of looking beneath the surface, something I believe so many Americans have forgotten to do. Yet again, they have created a movie people of all ages that will be able to enjoy.