Movie Review

Disney’s Zootopia draws in adults and kids from start to finish

Since 1995, Pixar has been the star of Disney animation, delivering time and again with only a few exceptions. But in the last 10 years, the other half of Disney’s animated output — Walt Disney Animation Studios — has proven it can make films just as memorable.

Since 2007, the studio has been responsible for Bolt, The Princess & the Frog, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, and Big Hero 6, a stretch that rivals Pixar’s success. The trend continues with Zootopia, an absolute delight of a movie that takes the tried-and-true premise of talking animals to another level.

They do so not just by having anthropomorphic animals of all kinds, but also by creating a fully realized universe where almost every detail astounds. The hero of the film is Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), a rabbit who has dreamt her entire life of being a police officer. Finally given her shot, she’s assigned to lowly parking meter duty instead of actually fighting crime.

A chance run-in with a con artist fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) sets in motion a series of events that finds the two of them trying to track down a missing otter. That investigation opens up something bigger than they could have imagined, unraveling a conspiracy that has far-reaching implications.

If that sounds heavy for an animated Disney film, it is and it isn’t. One of the biggest pleasures of Zootopia, as is the case with most great animated films, is how it appeals equally to kids and adults. The lush animation, cute animals, and other elements make it kid-friendly, but the relatively complex plot, pop culture references, and somewhat scary sequences make it enjoyable for adults too.

Heck, at one point, the filmmakers — led by veterans Byron Howard and Rich Moore — even bring in a not-so-lightly veiled allusion to the dangers of racism and fear-mongering. However, they do so in a way that’s completely consistent with the world of the film, making the important message palatable for younger viewers.

Although I normally say that having celebrities voice animated characters is a waste of time, both Goodwin and Bateman, along with Jenny Slate as Bellwether the sheep, bring a little something extra to the movie. Other stars like Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Bonnie Hunt, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Alan Tudyk, and Shakira all deliver nice performances, but their star power does little to enhance the film.

It’s easy to tell when a studio and its filmmakers care about the quality of their product, and the output from both sides of Disney has gotten as reliable as a Swiss clock. Zootopia is another stellar movie from a studio that just knows how to do things right.

Jason Bateman plays Nick Wilde and Ginnifer Goodwin plays Judy Hopps in Zootopia.

Scene from Zootopia

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Jason Bateman plays Nick Wilde and Ginnifer Goodwin plays Judy Hopps in Zootopia.

Rivers wild

Ethan Hawke narrates new documentary that deep-dives into Texas rivers

Cropped still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers

Cropped still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers

The Rio Grande is one of the stunning subjects of Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers.

One Texas film icon passes the torch to another for a deep dive on Texas' river ecosystems in the upcoming documentary Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers. Matthew McConaughey narrated the original 2022 film, Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story. Now Ethan Hawke narrates the follow-up, which will be in theaters September 25.

Deep in the Heart 2 is directed by Ben Masters, a nature-obsessed Texan who was born and raised in Amarillo and has followed wildlife around the state and beyond. Working with his crew at Fin & Fur Films, Masters explores the Rio Grande, the Sabine River, and the Neches River, a press release says, coming across otters, turkeys, alligator snapping turtles, and more.

This underwater shot was taken in San Marcos.Still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers

The original Deep in the Heart took a broad view of Texas — both its landscapes and their inhabitants — while the "sequel," as the release calls it, specifically highlights water. Conservation is an important angle, and viewers will get a chance to consider how they could connect with and protect the ecosystems on their screens.

"Most of my favorite memories are on Texas Rivers," said Masters in the release. "I grew up on the Canadian, fell in love on the Brazos, got married on the Guadalupe, found adventure on the Rio Grande, and am raising my kids on the Colorado."

The filmmaker says that spending three years filming his natural subjects gave him "a newfound appreciation" for rivers and how distinct they are from one another.

Amazing cinematography was a hallmark of the original film, and the sequel offers more beautiful shots.Still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers

"We spent months filming mountain lions on the Pecos, snapping turtles on the Neches, otters on the Sabine, fatmuckets on the Llano, and whooping cranes in the Guadalupe's Estuary," Masters said. "Editing the majesty of Texas Rivers into 80 minutes was a huge challenge, and I'm just incredibly grateful to work with such a talented team of cinematographers, editors, producers, and musicians."

Hawke, born in Austin and raised in Fort Worth, is known for acting in the Dead Poets Society, Gattaca, the Richard Linklater films Boyhood and Blue Moon, and more. He has taken up causes in environmental advocacy for years and appeared in other ecology-focused films, including the intense fictional First Reformed (2018) and a goofy anti-littering PSA with TxDOT (2023).

Some unexpected guests in the Rio Grande.Still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers

The film was made in association with H-E-B, a regular supporter of ecological documentaries and initiatives, and conservation organization Texan by Nature. Other collaborators include producer Josh Winkler, editor Sam Klatt, assistant editor Chet Stefan, and composer Noah Sorota. The musical score is performed by Dallas Chamber Symphony.

animals documentaries ecology ethan hawke film matthew mcconaughey movies nature texas wildlife

Loading...