Zootopia

One can see the clear outlines of the political themes that sit just below the surface of this movie, particularly with regards to the issue of identity politics. (Or should that be identity paw-litics? Couldn’t resist.) But I think it’s best to let that slide and judge the work on its merits as a movie; that is, as a vehicle for telling a story. And this piece earns high marks on that basis: the story is engaging right from the start, it sets up its premise—really, its world—in crisp, neat fashion, and it runs through its narrative with a minimum of missteps and a great deal of smart, funny panache. And, as a bonus, this is one animated film that avoids the pitfall of Familiar Voice Syndrome;  there are some major names in the cast—Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Idris Elba—but none have a voice so distinctive that they are too recognizable. That makes for a more effective cast of characters, which always makes for more effective storytelling—and thus a more effective movie. Finally, it should go without saying, the animation is top notch; that’s standard for the industry these days. All in all, this is a strong effort and well worth the viewer’s time and attention.