Triple Meaning in ‘Zootopia’ 

"Zootopia" skilfully blends the best aspects of successful animated films, incorporating the humour seen in "Ice Age," the character development reminiscent of "How to Train Your Dragon," and the emotional depth akin to "Big Hero 6." However, what sets it apart is its unique approach. While it captivates children with its entertainment and humour, it also prompts adults to introspect and contemplate deeper themes. In just two hours, the film not only presents a comprehensive worldview but also continually tests the audience's ethical boundaries with its consistent plot twists, completely subverting the conventional formula found in Hollywood animation. In my opinion, this movie has at least three layers of progressive connotations, which are worthy of attention while watching.

Animal Utopia

As a synonym for "ideal society," "Utopia" originated from the book of the same name by the 16th-century English scholar Thomas More. In that book, More constructed a fictional island with a perfect social system, where private ownership was abolished and equality for all was achieved. Under the protection of the ideal system, the residents of the island enjoyed full freedom. Poverty and evil in the real world did not exist on this island. Due to More's special status in the British political scene, the book received great attention upon its publication. As a close friend of King Henry VIII, More was influential in the royal court and had a significant impact on British policies. At that time, England had just emerged from a civil war and was embroiled in religious conflicts. The serene and enchanting Utopia held a strong appeal for the public, drawing them in with its beauty and tranquility. However, Henry VIII was solely focused on consolidating his own power, dismissing More's principled political ideas as too stern. Consequently, when More challenged Henry VIII's control over the English Church, the enraged king ordered the execution of his once dear friend.

After More's death, his ideal social concept remained. However, many people are skeptical of "utopia". Both the feudal monarchy, perched atop the hierarchical system, and the bourgeoisie, controlling social wealth, often lack the motivation to alter the existing reality. They tend to dismiss utopian ideals, viewing them with scorn and skepticism. Faced with these doubts, a group of social practitioners decided to establish their own utopia. Referring to More's model, British businessman Robert Owen established an experimental commune in the United States. Nevertheless, this commune, which aimed to eradicate private ownership, ultimately collapsed after a mere two years. Upon scrutinizing the economic underpinnings of the commune, its failure becomes unsurprising. During these two years, the commune failed to generate significant output and primarily relied on Owen's personal wealth, which he had amassed from his cotton spinning factory in England. Ironically, the economic structure of this commune mirrored the very elements that utopian ideals vehemently oppose: the exploitative employment system within factories, the brutal conditions in cotton fields akin to slavery, and the oppressive dynamics of colonialism in international trade. The demise of the commune was, in hindsight, entirely predictable.

However, the quest for an ideal society is not easily forsaken. Under the weighty burden of industrialization, the "Utopian" ideal resurfaced in the 20th century as a counterattack against the harsh realities of cruel capitalism. The Soviet Union conducted a grand social experiment at the national level, replacing the market economy with a planned economy. This experiment achieved certain success, with the Soviet Union becoming the world's second-largest industrial country and playing a crucial role in World War II, based on a collectivized economy. However, it was also during the peak years of the Soviet Union that the concept of anti-utopia emerged.

In George Orwell's "Animal Farm", animals were used as a political allegory. The pigs leading the revolution gained power, and as a result, the animal farm that was originally progressing towards equality gave rise to new hierarchies. Just as predicted in "Animal Farm", the administration of the Soviet Union gradually became bureaucratic and the economy gradually stagnated. The Soviet Union eventually dissolved in the 1990s.

In "Zootopia," the concept of the "animal utopia" represents an idealized city setting. All animals live together regardless of their species, and each animal can become whatever it wants to be. However, as the plot progresses, the audience will realize that the "animal utopia" is only an ideal concept and far from reality. The first layer of meaning explored from the movie's title "Zootopia" delves into whether it serves as an optimistic "utopia" or a critical "anti-utopia".

Adults Love Fairy Tales

"Zootopia" doesn't remain confined to the abstract notion of "Utopia." Instead, the movie deliberately alludes to reality from the beginning. In the most typical scene, a rabbit is in a hurry to check the license plate number at the traffic bureau, but the staff at the bureau are all slow-moving sloths. Children find genuine amusement in the antics of the clumsy sloths on screen, but adult viewers can only muster a awkward smile. The portrayal of bureaucratic processes in the movie seems all too familiar, highlighting that real-life bureaucracy might be even slower and more frustrating than the depicted sloths.

In addition to these details, the film's theme of species conflict also corresponds to the current racial conflicts. There is stereotypical prejudice against different species everywhere in the animal city: rabbits are not suitable to be police officers, foxes are all liars, herbivores are weak, and carnivores are cruel. Likewise, the United States has grappled with significant racial prejudice, exemplified by the openly racist attitude displayed by presidential candidate Trump. It can be argued that "Zootopia" functions as a fable mirroring these real-world issues.

Fables, known as "adult fairy tales," often use metaphors to describe society and human nature. The classical Chinese novel "Journey to the West" appears to be a story about gods and monsters, but internally it is also a fable. The Monkey King is independent and capable, daring to create chaos in the Heavenly Palace, overthrowing the order of the heavens. He is often seen as a manifestation of the spirit of rebellion. Pigsy is not only lazy and cowardly but also greedy for women, symbolizing the weaknesses of human nature.

The indirect metaphors in fables are like little puzzles left to readers, allowing them to interpret them on their own. In terms of the purpose of satirizing reality, fables can attract audiences more effectively and often have a better effect than direct criticism. In "Gulliver's Travels," the Lilliputians argue endlessly over whether to break open an egg from the big end or the small end. This seemingly absurd plot ironically criticizes sectarian disputes that escalate due to minor differences. "Zootopia" also satirizes democratic elections and media hypocrisy through crime investigation in animal city.

In Aesop's Fables from ancient Greece, lions and jackals are often used to represent rulers, while foxes and snakes symbolize cunning and evil people. However, what "Zootopia" wants to oppose the most is this stereotyped interpretation. The movie is filled with stereotyped animals, but as the plot unfolds, the true personalities of these animals always deviate from their corresponding stereotypes. The supposedly timid rabbit turns out to be brave and passionate, while the cunning fox proves to be kind-hearted and sincere. In "Zootopia," we see small animals assuming roles of mob bosses, while larger animals are depicted as their henchmen. The film's primary antagonist is also a surprising twist. By employing fables to interpret reality and challenging racism through anti-stereotypes, the movie delves into its second profound layer of meaning.

Culture Changes the World

Towards the end of the movie, the city of Zootopia, now restored to peace, hosts a concert. Superstar Gazelle sings "Try Everything" on stage. This song perfectly captures the movie's underlying theme: every animal has flaws, but this should not create a divide between species. The only way to bridge the species gap is to make an effort and not give up on communication. Accompanied by music, various animals join hands and dance on the stage, creating a joyous carnival atmosphere reminiscent of the classic spirit found in Disney movies. In this night of revelry, the director ingeniously employs a cultural singer as the ultimate tool to bridge the gaps. While this choice might appear somewhat forced, it is not entirely unprecedented in the realm of storytelling.

In the 1960s, amidst racial conflicts, the feminist movement, and the Vietnam War, the grassroots movement in the United States reached its peak, causing social divisions. Just when the public felt uncertain about the future, the British band, The Beatles, sparked a wave of peace in America. The song "Yellow Submarine" describes a utopian submarine where people navigate freely and happily. After The Beatles disbanded, lead vocalist John Lennon became a spokesperson for peace and directly immersed himself in mainstream American culture. His song "Give Peace a Chance" was seen as an anthem against war. Over a hundred thousand students gathered in Washington, loudly singing along to this song: All we are saying is give peace a chance.

Lennon's songs were undoubtedly a product of anti-war sentiments, but they in turn further fuelled the anti-war movement, becoming a case study of how soft culture can change the hard world. Lennon's cultural influence was achieved through modern media channels. The gazelle in "Zootopia" is the Lennon of the animation world, representing the hope for animals to overcome species prejudice.

In addition to music, films also have the power to change the world. The 1993 film "Philadelphia" openly discusses the issue of AIDS within the gay community, criticizing the public's discrimination against the gay community and AIDS patients. Tom Hanks won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Philadelphia." More significantly, the film played a pivotal role in raising awareness within American society, forcing it to confront issues it had previously attempted to avoid. Similarly, Disney released the allegorical and racially diverse film "Zootopia" during the US election year, with a deeper meaning. The concept of "racial integration" portrayed in "Zootopia" arrived on the silver screen like a breath of fresh air in a polluted environment. The movie's potential to become a cultural symbol capable of reshaping the world constitutes a third layer of meaning that I eagerly anticipate exploring in the future.