#25 ZOOTROPOLIS

Starring the vocal talents of: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, Tommy CHong, Octavia Spencer and Shakira. Written by Jared Bush and Phil Johnson, based on a story by Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush, Josie Trinidad, Jim Reardon, Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee. Directed by Bryron Howard and Rich Moore. Running time 108 minutes. Budget $150 million.

Wow, what a surprise. An animated kids film about anthropomorphized animals that is both smart, funny and original.

The story sees country bunny, Judy Hopps realise her dreams of becoming the first rabbit to join the  Zootopia police force and leave home to begin a new life away from her risk adverse parents and her 250 odd brothers and sisters. The trouble is that Chief Bogo (a water buffallo played by, Idris Elba) doesn't think she's up to the job and assigns her to traffic duty rather than investigate a spate of missing persons cases that have sprung up all over the city. But Judy jumps at the opportunity and hops right on board, and through her sheer single-minded tenacity and the help of con-man, sorry con-fox Nick Wilde, Jason Bateman uncovers a sinister conspiracy at the heart of this incredible metropolis that threatens to destroy Zootopia itself! From then on it's a trawl through the udder-belly of this astonishingly realised city from naturist commune, to top secret laboratory to Mouse-mafia wedding to uncover the shocking truth.

I swear to god, this is the kid's movie equivalent of Soylent Green, but without the 'Soylent Green is people, people!' moment. I mean seriously at the heart of this wonderful film is a fantastic conspiracy that takes this movie to a whole other level! With glorious animation, simply superb art direction and more ideas than a hundred Kung Fu Pandas and Good Dinosaurs combined, this is an absolute treat and richly deserves to win next year's Oscar for best animated film.

So many funny characters, ideas, and dialogue. This is truly the cinematic version of Richard Scarry's Great Big Mystery Book!

Nothing bad to bleat about in this film, just an immensely satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable movie. And it's a credit to both John Lassiter and Walt Disney Animation Studios for once again realising that when it comes to animated movies, story is king.

Now, could someone please tell Zach Synder.

Hunt Zootopis down now.

9/10