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Zootopia: Concerning Fables and Foxes

Daniel H.
Mar 13, 2016
5 min read

[Minor Zootopia Spoilers]

It seems like every children's movie these days - especially if made by Disney - inspires and frequently encourages its viewers to "believe in themselves" and "follow their dreams." Zootopia is at first glance, one such movie. Judy Hopps' dream is to join the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD) and become the first rabbit officer, although her size and stature would appear to disqualify her from the position. And, in true heroic fashion, she does. She breaks species boundaries and proves to the whole animal kingdom that, yes, cute bunnies can be cops. Nick Wilde, though outwardly self-confident, wants to be loved, trusted, and treated as more than a sly fox. And like Judy, he does, proving that even a fox can be just as kind, unselfish, and honest as any other creature. Zootopia is a fun, charming movie with colorful environments, loveable characters, and well-executed humor. It's also a pretty amazing recreation of modern America - without the humans, of course. But let's look deeper. Zootopia is a classic fable outfitted for our modern age, complete with sheep, wolves, rabbits and foxes. And as any viewer knows, it clearly doesn't try to hide its message. What is this fable teaching today's youth (and their parents?)

(I'm about to get a little critical of the messages that other reviewers say Zootopia represents, if you'd like to hear the more positive morals, skip down to the second picture.)

Zootopia appears to be all about nature versus nurture, or maybe more accurately, nature vs effort.

Judy Hopps symbolizes that effort is what defines any creature. She constantly reminds viewers through her actions that hard work and determination can allow anybody to be anything. Nick Wilde holds the opposite view, sticking to the conventional Zootopian attitude that your species - your biology - determines your character traits and future. However, Judy seems to win over Nick by the end of the film, resolving this conflict for the viewers. Zootopia clearly wants its viewers to believe that they can be anyone or "try anything." Zootopia hints that if a rabbit can be a better cop than rhinos and lions, why should humans limit our options in life based on gender, race, or upbringings? There's a strong message here glorifying tolerance and diversity, which seem just a little too convenient for our times to be coincidental.

However, I feel that Zootopia fails to properly accomplish these particular goals. A huge reason is due to the fact that all of its characters are animals, which, unlike humans, are extremely different biologically from each other. Sure, they all have fur and can talk, but a lion cannot be equated with a shrew. Because of this simple fact, several of its messages about stereotypes and racism, although true, begin to fall flat. Around the middle of the movie, the prey begin to judge and discriminate against the predators, the minority of Zootopian society. All viewers see this as wrong, and rightly so. Humans really have no good reason to discriminate based on race because we are all one species. But animals are whole different beasts (pun totally intended.) It is completely logical for prey to fear the predators, because the predators have a history of eating them. I challenge any human not to do the same if they had a cannibal for a neighbor.

Also, Judy and Nick cannot truly be anything they want. Spoiler alert, but Judy remains a rabbit for the whole movie and Nick stays a fox for the entire duration as well. Yes, Judy's job may be unorthodox, but she stays true to her biology. (Interesting to note that the movie does hint that animals may wish to be other species.) Judy does learn from Nick and vice versa, but they still act mostly like a rabbit and fox for the entire movie.

Thankfully, Zootopia teaches several amazing lessons if you are willing to look beyond the clearly apparent, yet weaker messages of tolerance and diversity.

First of all, Zootopia revitalizes the classic "follow your dreams and live happily ever after" mantra found in so many other Disney movies. In Zootopia, Judy gets exactly what she hopes and dreams for. She not only becomes an member of the ZPD, but also cracks the unsolvable case and becomes the star officer. And she hates it. This was one of the most real moments in the entire film. She believes in herself, but in the end, this gets her nothing but a broken heart. I'm glad that children are learning that fulfillment in life is found in more than just accomplishing goals. I'm also glad that the movie doesn't end there. Instead, it allows Judy to repair the damage she's caused while chasing her dream. In the end, she finds fufillment and joy as she works hard at her dream job but also looks beyond herself, caring for those around her - especially Nick.

Speaking of that dynamic duo, Nick and Judy are also an amazing example of friendship. Though they have their fair share of rough times, it is wonderful to see their friendship grow throughout the film. They develop a mutual respect for each other despite their difference in species and upbringings. Sure, most foxes may be sly and most bunnies may be dumb - Nick and Judy included, - but Nick and Judy learn to look beyond the common stereotypes and recognize each other as unique individuals worthy of their kindness. I was worried going into the film that Judy and Nick would form a romantic relationship, despite their difference in species. I am happy to say this never happens. Instead, Zootopia gets the rare chance to display a beautiful, non-romantic, yet loving relationship between species and genders.

Zootopia also answers the nature vs nuture question, but by showing that both are necessary. Judy and Nick remain a rabbit and fox, but they do change. They become a better rabbit and a better fox. They realize the weaknesses of their species, and work hard to overcome them. In addition, Judy and Nick do not deny the gifts inherent in and unique to their species (Judy's hearing and compassion, Nick's rhetoric and connections) but instead they utilize them for the good of Zootopia. It is neither nature nor determination which saves Zootopia, but both of them combined. This is so much more true and beautiful than the false dichotomy our culture commonly presents. In fact, it's more similar to Christ using both our innate talents and effort to advance the good of His kingdom.

I hope that the creators of Zootopia were intending to promote these virtues instead of a simple message of tolerance and diversity. A movie so beautiful in presentation and writing should have a beautiful moral to match. It was great fun to see Aesop's fables recreated for our modern time with uncanny detail. Though it's a PG movie populated by animals, Zootopia has powerful things to say about human society. Let's hope viewers watch actively and think critically about them.

Alright, I'm done yakkin'.

-Daniel

(Author has only watched Zootopia once; this article will be revised upon future viewings.)