My fiancé and I love taking our boys to the movies every month or so as a treat, and this year there have been plenty of movies to choose from! Some are ones we know we’ll enjoy as much as the kids. Others we watch only because Zackary and Benjamin want to see them so badly. And still others are movies that we know nothing about…but that end up surprising us with how entertaining they are! This year, Zootopia was one of those movies. Jeremy and I weren’t sure what to expect, but we enjoyed it every bit as much as the boys did. So when I got the chance to review the Blu-ray/DVD release of the film, I was thrilled. Here’s a brief synopsis:
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes a comedy-adventure set in the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia. Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia’s police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case – even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery. Bring home this hilarious adventure full of action, heart and tons of bonus extras that take you deeper into the world of Zootopia. It’s big fun for all shapes and species!
While Zootopia is very entertaining to watch, what I love about it even more is the way it deals with very current themes of prejudice towards others and the damage that a culture of fear can create in our society. The premise of carnivores losing control of themselves was something that divided the city of Zootopia in a very destructive way. It was through support and acceptance of one another, and through two unlikely heroes becoming partners, that the city was able to thrive and become the best that it could be.
Of course, Disney also does a fantastic job of combining the kid-friendly plot and humour with subtle adult references that are sure to have parents grinning. I loved the nod to The Godfather in the form of the adorable arctic shrew crime lord Mr. Big. And Jeremy caught a reference to the hit series Breaking Bad at one point as well. Needless to say, both of us loved hearing Canada’s own Peter Mansbridge as Zootopia’s news reporter!
Zootopia on Blu-ray and DVD is loaded with special bonus features for the whole family too, including a look at the origin and development of the plot, deleted scenes, deleted characters and hidden references to other Disney hits. Grab your copy now and get ready for some animal-filled fun this weekend. It’s a great movie choice that kids of all ages will love watching!
