Parents and older siblings sometimes find it challenging to sit through children’s movies with predictable plots, stereotypical characters and cheesy humor that entertains children but often bores mature audiences. Few children’s films find a balance that keeps both demographics truly enthralled with the plot and characters. Recently released children’s film “Zootopia” provides an entertaining and brilliant plot, great humor and an incredible message for audiences of all ages.

The film is set in the metropolis Zootopia where all animals, whether predatory or docile, have lived in peace for years. Judy Hopps, a small rabbit from a carrot farming family in the country, comes to the city to follow her dream of becoming a city police officer. Throughout her life, many people tell Judy she’s too small to become a police officer, but their negativity inspires Judy to continue to follow her dream. She becomes a police officer, but the chief assigns her to work as a “meter-maid,” and she has to give out parking tickets all day. She encourages the chief to allow her to solve a missing persons case with the help of a con-artist fox, Nick Wilde. As Judy uncovers more information, the nature of the case causes conflict between the animals of Zootopia after years of peace.  Judy discovers the missing predatory animals have turned back to their “savage” instincts. The city falls into turmoil as the docile majority fears the predatory minority could attack. The rift between the two groups causes friendships to break, and the city becomes divided once again, motivating Judy to bring harmony to the city once again.

While the plot itself captures viewers, the creators of Zootopia did not leave out a single detail. The brilliant planning of the city provides tundra, rainforest, desert boroughs and a generic city center providing each animal with a suitable habitat. The animals also live in areas based on their size. In one scene, Judy chases a criminal through a small rodent city, and another scene shows an ice cream shop catering to the voracious appetites of huge elephants to show how the city accommodates animals of any size or species.

The film also explores the negative consequences of bigotry and stereotyping. Judy works to be treated as an equal at her workplace, where many believe she is ill-equipped to do most of the jobs because of her size. Her perseverance pays off, and citizens of Zootopia slowly gain more respect for Judy. The lessons through these scenes teach all audiences that stereotyping others can destroy friendships and an entire society. In the beginning of the movie, Judy fears foxes because of a bully from her childhood. The film utilizes Judy’s growing friendship and trust with Nick Wilde to show that each animal is capable of doing good deeds no matter their species.

 If viewers are looking for a children’s movie with humor for all ages, an interesting storyline and a great message, “Zootopia” encompasses all three in a creative way and captivates audiences of any age.