DAK “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater

[networkpro]

I guess I can see that angle - my thinking was more “If an author tells you their work 100% does not mean ___, and you 100% believe them, well, ok - their work doesn’t mean ____.” If you’re saying they accidentally picked up on something of an esoteric reference (I say esoteric because this is Disney, they’re not clueless about pop culture), then I see what you’re saying.

I believe that wraps back around to a key argument about Zootopia, it's not about animals doing animal things within a natural habitat context, it's about anthropomorphic animal like creatures with attributes only used as plot devices in human societies using a common vocal communication medium.

 

[Professortango1]

I guess I can see that angle - my thinking was more “If an author tells you their work 100% does not mean ___, and you 100% believe them, well, ok - their work doesn’t mean ____.” If you’re saying they accidentally picked up on something of an esoteric reference (I say esoteric because this is Disney, they’re not clueless about pop culture), then I see what you’re saying.

In my example from my own life, the director would tell you that she wasn't being problematic. The people of color in the cast disagreed. People can be problematic without a conscious effort to. Even while trying to say something positive.

And the filmmakers chose to make drug references in the film which tie to our lives. They chose to use phrases like "token" and "why don't you go back to the jungle" and "that's our word." They chose to make a film that discusses racism and make it clear that is what they were doing. But then by applying those ideas to animals in a prey/predator world, they failed to realize the full weight of what they were saying.

 

[Professortango1]

Because the story doesn’t do that, since none of the characters are coded to any particular group in real life. They don’t need to be specifically coded for it’s message to be effective.

To be honest (keep in mind I am a PoC, I don’t like having to throw that in, but, well), even if Nick and Judy *were* coded as black and white people specifically, (which they’re clearly not), I still wouldn’t consider it as that big an issue just because of the high quality of the writing.

I think what you're not grasping is that art is subjective. You can find nothing problematic with the film. That's 100% okay. Others can analyze the film and based on their perspective, they can find it problematic. I just had a full deep dive into this with Rocky Horror and trying to figure out how the material had aged for a modern audience.

Like for me, I cannot enjoy The Greatest Showman due to both the sanitization of Barnum and also the needless and completely fictional vilification of Jenny Lind, a real woman who's name is drug through the mud to make the real-life problematic Barnum far more sympathetic. Others love the movie because that doesn't bother them. I don't think they are wrong in enjoying the film as a fun diversion, but as someone who understands the history and what they are doing to it, it's an issue I cannot overlook, and it impedes my full enjoyment.

So yes, Zootopia can be problematic with its metaphors of racism and also be totally beloved by people of color. Both can be true.

 

[Advisable Joseph]

So yes, Zootopia can be problematic with its metaphors of racism and also be totally beloved by people of color. Both can be true.

No, if the problem is only in academia and the Internet, it is academia which has the problem, not Zootopia or Disney. You're applying the wrong framework.

There is a major difference between loose "allegory" (vague thematic similarity) and strict allegory, which I think your sources are ignoring to be provokative.

Also, the discrimination aspects owe much to Dr. Shakti Butler, who was considered Black growing up (see here and here) and her World Trust organization, which still uses Zootopia as an example of their work.

Prey going savage doesn’t include them trying to eat others.

Tell that to Judy's mom's arm, which became a rabbit snack!

...about animals doing animal things ..., it's about anthropomorphic animal...

Things can be both. See Ranger Rick.

 

[Professortango1]

No, if the problem is only in academia and the Internet, it is academia which has the problem, not Zootopia or Disney. You're applying the wrong framework.
.

I would think most analysis of art would fall under academia. The rift we see between casual viewers and seasoned critics in terms of RT scores illustrates that the general public is often not concerned with the deeper meanings in a film.

 

[communicorn96]

Whether any individual thinks the messaging is convoluted or ill-conceived the film's global box office was over a billion carrots.

It's easy to see why Disney would continue investing in it.

 

[lazyboy97o]

But I’ve already explained the multiple reasons why in this very thread on how the metaphors in this film are harmless. If you hate the movie, I can’t do anything about that, but don’t act as if Zootopia is something that Disney has to either change or take away.

Where did I say anything about changing or taking away the movie? And no, you didn’t explain how the beginning of the movie doesn’t exist.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I don’t care if this is a spoiler: THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MOVIE. When you call it problematic, that is not a fair criticism on Zootopia, that is a flat out unfair attack. That theory by the end was proven to be fake. Again, THIS MOVIE IS NOT problematic, and I’ve had enough of people pushing that agenda against it.

I’m not bothered by the fact you want the attraction somewhere else, I’m just tired of the backlash against the property because it’s misunderstood.

So it really is just a bad formulaic TV police drama stretched out to a 90 minute movie after all?

 

[Bocabear]

it was cute...but it felt like a TV show...not a film.... and the characters, plotline etc didn't quite stick with me...

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

So it really is just a bad formulaic TV police drama stretched out to a 90 minute movie after all?

48 hours with Animals....And it's literally a line in the movie..

 

[KDM31091]

I believe that wraps back around to a key argument about Zootopia, it's not about animals doing animal things within a natural habitat context, it's about anthropomorphic animal like creatures with attributes only used as plot devices in human societies using a common vocal communication medium.

This is how I feel. Zootopia really only fits on a very surface level. They aren't really animals. I know Disney doesn't care and realistically most of the general public doesn't either, but old Disney used to care about thematic integrity. It seems that is gone.

 

[Gusey]

I'm just wondering how much this is going to be a Zootopia 2 3D show compared to a Zootopia show, especially as the poster has the sequel's clothes and that version seems to be introducing reptiles to the story and exploring more biomes not seen in the first film

 

[donaldtoo]

I’m just gonna’ throw this in the mix…discuss…!!!!!

 

[Gusey]

I’m just gonna’ throw this in the mix…discuss…!!!!!

View attachment 847541

We know Zootopia 2 includes reptiles, who's to say that insects won't appear in it or Zootopia 3 (I know that it likely won't but people seem to be forgetting that this is purposely opening in time for Zootopia 2 to come out for "synergy").

 

[communicorn96]

Tommy Chong's yoga yak is swarming with flies. Each of those flies will get a spin off film.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Tommy Chong's yoga yak is swarming with flies. Each of those flies will get a spin off film.

New Disney+ series. It's a 1,000 weeks long and each week shows the same story but from the perspective of a different fly