Zootopia! Never been so excited for a CG film

[Muppy]

awww, loving "Mayoral Assistant Bellweather", the lady sheep character

Some early reviews coming in. What I'm reading is that the movie is essentially a take on the sort of 40s-50s noir vibe of LA Confidential, Chinatown, or even Amblin/Disney's Roger Rabbit mixed with heavy doses of socio-political themes and a lot of good chemistry
http://www.slashfilm.com/zootopia-reviews/

Interesting ...

 

[C to the J]

Has anyone noticed there's no short film playing in front of Zootopia? I wonder why it hasn't been announced yet.

From WDAS, we've had these playing before the main films:
The Ballad of Nessie (before Winnie the Pooh)
Paperman (before Wreck-It Ralph)
Get a Horse! (before Frozen)
Feast (before Big Hero 6)

 

[Pig'sSaysAdios]

One thing I can say about this movie is it definitely looks unique. Disney's animated films have been really creative the last four years or so but I really hope I enjoy this movie more than Big Hero 6. I mean,BH6 was a nice movie,the animation was amazing and lot's of other people love the movie. I don't dislike the movie,I just found it underwhelming. The characters were okay,the story was alright,the character designs were pretty meh,but their costumes were nice. Just everything about it was underwhelming.

 

[Muppy]

One thing I can say about this movie is it definitely looks unique. Disney's animated films have been really creative the last four years or so but I really hope I enjoy this movie more than Big Hero 6. I mean,BH6 was a nice movie,the animation was amazing and lot's of other people love the movie. I don't dislike the movie,I just found it underwhelming. The characters were okay,the story was alright,the character designs were pretty meh,but their costumes were nice. Just everything about it was underwhelming.

I was super excited for Big Hero 6, but didn't get to see it in theaters. I streamed it a couple months ago and was bored the whole time. I didn't even finish watching it. The animation was beautiful, but the story was kind of predictable and dull.

I don't understand why so many movies get such great reviews, but then when I go and watch the film I'm incredibly underwhelmed. For instance Inside Out got amazing reviews, but it was the worst animated film I've seen (and I've seen Food Fight ... but Food Fight was so bad it's good). I was so bored, the jokes were not funny, Bing Bong was depressing, and I left the movie uncomfortable. The same thing happened with the Lego Movie. I was super hyped for that, and I thought the movie was terrible in the end.

 

[Drtooth]

Disney's worst CGI movie by far is Dinosaur. I snuck into that one and even I felt cheated out of my money, especially since I enjoyed the heck out of the movie I paid for, Viva Rock Vegas.

Yep. Viva Rock Vegas. And I was stocked about having just seen it. Dinosaur killed that buzz. It was just long, unappealing, and the only attempts at humor were pee jokes. And they had the most unlikable characters, especially the comedy relief that made Jar Jar Binks look appropriate and hilarious by comparison. And you could totally tell dialogue was added in last minute. Just a waste of animation all the way round. And while I usually like lower key films that use B and C list celebs as the voice actors so they speak for themselves instead of having to be towed about by big names. But the biggest celeb in Dinosaur was Della Reese. Really. UGH.

Now, as to why I loved Big Hero Six, well... I'm not going to be one of those film student snobs that whines about how there's too many super hero films, but even then I think the fact that Marvel's licenses being spread out to 3 companies and DC trying hard to do what Avengers did is making the glut bigger. Disney Marvel is world building, and that sort of thing is unprecedented. But anyway, I've enjoyed the Disney produced Marvel films so far, and I do like how most of their films have a surprise different genre. Some have surprising messages in them (Ant-Man condemns how impossible it is for former criminals to find work, which drives them back to a life of crime, for example) But the one thing that these movies are kind of missing is heart. The only live action Marvel comics movies I feel has that level of heart was Guardians of the Galaxy and Big Hero. And released the same year as well. I don't see why that sort of thing has to be completely alien from that genre of film, but they found a way to make two super hero films with more heart than all of them combined.

 

[beaker]

One thing I can say about this movie is it definitely looks unique. Disney's animated films have been really creative the last four years or so but I really hope I enjoy this movie more than Big Hero 6. I mean,BH6 was a nice movie,the animation was amazing and lot's of other people love the movie. I don't dislike the movie,I just found it underwhelming. The characters were okay,the story was alright,the character designs were pretty meh,but their costumes were nice. Just everything about it was underwhelming.

Same here! I mean, everything about Big Hero 6 should appeal to someone like me(Japanese pop culture, anime, mechs, Tokyo architecture, bright colors, monster shows) but I never felt invested in the characters or the story. It looked nice tho. Saw it in 3d and the final boss fight and the Baymax flying scenes looked great. But I didn't laugh once, and never felt at all connected.

Same thing with Wreck It Ralph. Loved the look of it, loved the inclusion of retro game cameos...but it felt lacking. And spent too much time I felt in Candy Rush land. Plus it didn't have enough cameos I felt; and didn't live up to the hype of being the "video game world version of Roger Rabbit".

But I LOVE Chicken Little and dug Bolt. Probably will never see Frozen or the Cars spinoff films. But every clip and trailer I'm seeing of Zootopia feels so fresh and new/modern. Which is a tall order as I'm sure a lot of us are very numb to computer generated animal movies. I have to say, in a way Disney animation now seems to be outdoing Pixar in the animation quality department and heart.
I mean I don't even know anyone whose been watching Pixar films in the last few years.

 

[beaker]

Disney's worst CGI movie by far is Dinosaur. I snuck into that one and even I felt cheated out of my money, especially since I enjoyed the heck out of the movie I paid for, Viva Rock Vegas.

Yep. Viva Rock Vegas. And I was stocked about having just seen it. Dinosaur killed that buzz. It was just long, unappealing, and the only attempts at humor were pee jokes. And they had the most unlikable characters, especially the comedy relief that made Jar Jar Binks look appropriate and hilarious by comparison. And you could totally tell dialogue was added in last minute. Just a waste of animation all the way round. And while I usually like lower key films that use B and C list celebs as the voice actors so they speak for themselves instead of having to be towed about by big names. But the biggest celeb in Dinosaur was Della Reese. Really. UGH.

Now, as to why I loved Big Hero Six, well... I'm not going to be one of those film student snobs that whines about how there's too many super hero films, but even then I think the fact that Marvel's licenses being spread out to 3 companies and DC trying hard to do what Avengers did is making the glut bigger. Disney Marvel is world building, and that sort of thing is unprecedented. But anyway, I've enjoyed the Disney produced Marvel films so far, and I do like how most of their films have a surprise different genre. Some have surprising messages in them (Ant-Man condemns how impossible it is for former criminals to find work, which drives them back to a life of crime, for example) But the one thing that these movies are kind of missing is heart. The only live action Marvel comics movies I feel has that level of heart was Guardians of the Galaxy and Big Hero. And released the same year as well. I don't see why that sort of thing has to be completely alien from that genre of film, but they found a way to make two super hero films with more heart than all of them combined.

I think heart has to be there for me to love a Disney animated or any animated film. It's why I can watch Up and Ratatouie over and over, but have a hard time sitting through Dreamworks animated films(cept Monsters Vs Aliens, love that film!) Big Hero 6 had so many amazing visual elements and nods to Japanese geekdom, that I can forgive the lack of humor/heart I felt with it.

I am glad Fox is at least trying with the Marvel properties they own. Fans and Disney execs act like Disney is the only rightful owner of Marvel. And while Fantastic Four 2015 I read is beyond terrible, and the Wolverine movies were terrible, Im hearing Deadpool is exceeding expectations. Comic book movies were largely R rated before the Disney buyout.

As far as socio-political messages, noone is (Strangely) more brave than Disney. You look at Captain America Winter Soldier, and you'd think itd be some jingoistic pro war Michael Bay slog...instead it has a strong anti war message, and talks about the unfairness of a select few having so much negative political power behind the scenes. Now you're making me intrigued to see Ant Man!

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to feel a bit ruffled by Zootopia.
They're going to claim it's "just Disney pushing an agenda", but I'm digging it. From the reviews Ive read and clips Ive seen, I get the feeling that it
not so subtly tackles racism, misogyny, commercialism(ironic from disney, i know), stereotypes, etc. Heck it even has a big gay cheetah cop. PLUS
all the reviews say it dives deep into that 40's noir vibe of Chinatown, LA confidential, Roger Rabbit, etc. Now it's possible I could end up not liking it....but everytime I've had a spidey sense from movie trailers that Ill love a movie, I end up being blown away. Even if a film ultimately bombs at the box office.

 

[Drtooth]

I am glad Fox is at least trying with the Marvel properties they own. Fans and Disney execs act like Disney is the only rightful owner of Marvel. And while Fantastic Four 2015 I read is beyond terrible, and the Wolverine movies were terrible, Im hearing Deadpool is exceeding expectations. Comic book movies were largely R rated before the Disney buyout.

Deadpool vs Fan4stic Four is a simple comparison. Deadpool was a passion project for everyone involved, especially Ryan Reynolds who absolutely hated what they did with the character in Wolverine Origins (also wasn't too thrilled with Green Lantern). Fourtastic Four was essentially Fox tossing together a franchise film reboot to keep their mark on a movie franchise no one liked in the first place. No one liked doing it, they gave it a dumb concept, and we're all like, why did we hate Rise of the Silver Surfer again?

I'll say one thing though. Somehow PG-13 super hero films manage to make kid's toys and movie tie ins for kids, but R ratings are drawing the line. Deadpool used to be on kid friendly merchandise, no kidding, until the film was in development for real.

As far as socio-political messages, noone is (Strangely) more brave than Disney. You look at Captain America Winter Soldier, and you'd think itd be some jingoistic pro war Michael Bay slog...instead it has a strong anti war message, and talks about the unfairness of a select few having so much negative political power behind the scenes. Now you're making me intrigued to see Ant Man!

Yeah, Iron Man 3, Captain America 2, and Ant-Man... they basically had messages we need to hear wrapped in well done action sequences. To give you an idea, Iron Man 3 was released weeks after the Boston Marathon attack. Considering the very subversive message in that one, it was refreshing. All I'll say about that.

I have a feeling a lot of people are going to feel a bit ruffled by Zootopia.
They're going to claim it's "just Disney pushing an agenda", but I'm digging it. From the reviews Ive read and clips Ive seen, I get the feeling that it
not so subtly tackles racism, misogyny, commercialism(ironic from disney, i know), stereotypes, etc. Heck it even has a big gay cheetah cop. PLUS
all the reviews say it dives deep into that 40's noir vibe of Chinatown, LA confidential, Roger Rabbit, etc. Now it's possible I could end up not liking it....but everytime I've had a spidey sense from movie trailers that Ill love a movie, I end up being blown away. Even if a film ultimately bombs at the box office.

Those kinds of critics like to pull out things from movies so they can complain about how Hollywood is brainwashing kids when it should be they who do the brainwashing. Even when it comes to movies that might even agree with their politics. Remember how bullcrappy Fox Business was about Secret of Arrietty? How it was somehow anti-capitalist, even though the main characters refused handouts which is more fitting for their agenda? They don't even need to watch the movies to make up some moral panic.

 

[beaker]

@Dr Tooth: All good points!
Man, more I read reviews, more I can't help but get goosebumps.

This review said it's one of the greatest films Disney has ever put
out since the start of the company.
http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/Zootopia-69397.html

This review says it's the rightful heir to Roger Rabbit, a daring film
that manages to be both a procedural noir thriller, social commentary and amazing fun animated experience
http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottme...ootopia-is-a-new-disney-classic/#23a1a62c54ac

Zootopia was conceived by Byron Howard who is also the director, whom I should have known of, but he did so much of the concept art and is almost like a one man deviant art account constantly churning out fun little concept art on his twitter and art blog. He reminds me of Rocko's Modern Life creator Joe Murray in how he conceived, wrote and drew up this fun crazy world of anthro animals living together in conflict...whereas a lot of major film cartoons feel like a pure corporate stew with no real helmer or main artist

 

[Mynameisdean]

I feel like this movie is going to be good, but that doesn't mean I'll see it. The sloth trailer was funny in the theater, but it feels like one of many Animalted, or Animal-mated, well Animal CGI movies this year. It feels more in line with Bolt and Meet the Robinsons than Disneys recent CGI movies, Wreck-It Ralph and Big Hero 6, which were great. Honestly, the best CGI film this year might be Storks.