The first time I watched Zootopia, I was blown away by how entertaining it was. The second time I watched it, I paid more attention to the story and the characters, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how important this movie was.
Zootopia is about a young, energetic bunny named Judy Hopps who just wants to live her dream of being the first police officer bunny in the city of Zootopia. She faces several obstacles along the way, including being told by her family, friends, and peers that she is not going to be successful as a "bunny cop."
I could see myself in Judy because of her sheer will to triumph and to leave no doubt in anyone's mind of her capability. I am a very competitive person, but I am also a perfectionist; I will do whatever it takes to get to my goals.
I think this movie is valuable to people of every age, not just children. I was moved by several of the scenes in the film, and even some of the lines. The film is especially relevant as our country continues to combat instances of prejudice and racism.
The most poignant scene in the film, for me, occurred after Judy has risen through the ranks of the police. Animals in the film are divided by "predator" and "prey" status, and the predators seem to be going "savage", reverting back to what you would expect animals to be like (which is not what happens in the city of Zootopia). On a bus, there is a sheep mother and her child seated next to a large tiger reading a newspaper. The sheep mother pulls her child closer, while the child stares up at the tiger.
This may not seem like much, but this speaks volumes to what is going on today in our culture. Parents are instilling in children the idea that those who are different or may appear more threatening than them are dangerous and should be avoided. Predator and prey within the movie start to fight each other and protest, demanding that those with the potential to "go savage" need to be dealt with. This is strangely reminiscent of the idea that those who "could be terrorists" or "could be illegal immigrants" need to be sent away. Or, on a larger scale, that anyone who is different but could be dangerous needs to be dealt with.
Well, newsflash: everyone has the potential to go savage. Raising children to think that one group of people is more dangerous than another is wrong, and that is why movies like Zootopia should be seen by the masses. Since people can't seem to listen to each other, why not listen to a Disney movie?
People need to see this film because it is about identity, and finding out who you truly are. That journey may not be easy, and it will most likely be filled with obstacles along the way. If you keep going, and you ignore all those who tell you that you fail, you will most definitely succeed.
"We cannot let fear divide us," superstar Giselle (voiced by Shakira) says. She is absolutely right. No matter how hard it is, we cannot let these strong emotions make decisions for us. We have to see the good in the world and in other people, and we need this now more than ever as problem after problem seems to arise within our society.
You do not have to be a hero. You do not have to try and fix every problem out there. But you do have to try, which is what Judy tells her classmates at the Police Academy. Just try, and you never know what might happen.
