When Disney’s Zootopia (read our review) hit theaters earlier this year, no one, not even the studio itself, was prepared for the incredibly warm reception it garnered from critics and film fans alike. With Disney’s string of prior animated hits, including global sensation Frozen that netted almost $1.3 billion and Oscar-winner Big Hero 6, the latest release had a lot to live up to.
After a strong three-day opening weekend haul of $73.7 million, the animal-centric adventure’s cinema run was poised to be successful, and it certainly was after becoming only the second film of 2016 to pass the billion-dollar mark (behind Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War). That confirmed the film - starring Jason Bateman as fast-talking con artist fox Nick Wilde and Ginnifer Goodwin as law-enforcing bunny Judy Hopps - as the second biggest original movie of all time (behind Avatar). In fact, Zootopia’s proven so successful that its co-directors Byron Howard (Tangled) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph) have opened up about the possibility of sequels and spin-offs.
Naturally, its enormous popularity has cemented itself as one of Disney’s finest animated films in recent memory, leaving it open for Screen Junkies to give Zootopia the Honest Trailer treatment. It was only so long that the universally lauded animation could escape the clutches of parody, and while the video addresses many valid, not to mention amusing, points, it’s difficult to genuinely criticize such a strong movie with an even stronger array of subtexts.
The seamless blend between Disney Animation Studios and the formidable Pixar is something every genre fan has picked up on. Especially since John Lasseter became chief creative officer for both, the quality of the Disney rapidly improved to Pixar-level greatness. Introducing Zootopia as a “Pixney, I mean Disnar” animated movie, the Honest Trailer really sets the tone for the funny nitpicking exercise.
Though Zootopia may have finally put the Frozen hysteria to bed - even though it includes some rather meta references to the 2013 hit - it is not above some light-hearted nitpicking. As such, the Zootopia Honest Trailer highlights some of the best moments of the film, including Nick and Judy’s inability to consummate their sort-of romance that’s established. It also, and quite rightly, has a dig at Shakira’s inclusion as pop star Gazelle which is arguably one of its weakest elements, as well as a note to the creative laziness of many of the characters’ names, such as Mayor Lionheart (J.K. Simmons) and Duke Weaselton (Alan Tudyk). Yet there’s clear affection for Zootopia throughout its pulling apart, especially when our narrator jokes about how, ahem, hot Judy Hopps is.
The fact that Screen Junkies have given us the Zootopia Honest Trailer speaks volumes - clearly the film’s had enough impact on audiences all over the world to be worthy of the light-hearted criticism they send its way. While it’s a stand-out movie for commendably addressing key social issues such as racism, xenophobia, tokenism, stereotyping, affirmative action, and sexism, it doesn’t stop the video makers from having a pop in its likable, frivolous manner.
Zootopia is out now on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as video-on-demand.
Source: Screen Junkies
