AROUND THE MOVIES. This Week Marc Reviews Zootropolis.

Zootropolis (PG)

Directed by Byron Howard & Rich Moore

Stars: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman & Idris Elba

One of the many beauties of Disney movies are the fact that they manage to occupy not only the children but also the adults who are press ganged into coming along with them. Colourful, fast paced, engaging and always entertaining, Disney hold all the cards when it comes to winning Half Term entertainment for the family and Zootropolis is no exception. In fact, in the spirit of transparency when it comes to reviews: I think I enjoyed it a little bit more than my son did. And he's 8.

Set in a world entirely populated by animals where prey and predators live in total harmony, we follow Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), an idealistic and wide eyed bunny who has just fulfilled her lifelong ambition: to become the first rabbit police officer on the Zootropolis force. Her first case seems to be pretty open and shut, the mystery of a missing otter however, not all is what it seems and she enlists the help of a cunning fox conman, Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman in fine, cocky form) as they delve into a, and yes this is still a Disney movie, a conspiracy to make the predators who live alongside their potential prey active and deadly once again.

The film benefits from having directors and writers who can easily walk the line between jokes for the little ones and for the big ones (Rich Moore worked on The Simpsons before moving to Disney to make the brilliant Wreck It Ralph) as they mix wonderful slapstick gag as with references to Breaking Bad. The city of Zootropolis is gorgeously rendered, you will find yourself giggling at the lovely little touches and sight gags and quickly becoming very fond indeed of Jenny, Nick and all of the other brilliantly designed characters.

Rarely do parents get the chance to enjoy the same film their children are enjoying (I still think of the 80 or so minutes I had to endure The Moshi Monsters Movie and shudder to the core of my soul with the recollection) yet Zootropolis does just that. Half Term provides very little fun for the mums and dads, yet here is Disney to save the day for all us once again. And let's be honest, you really don't want to watch Frozen for the 987th time during a rainy Wednesday afternoon again, now do you?

You Can see Zootropolis at the Moray play house in Elgin throughout the week,for times please click HERE and to watch the Zootropolis trailer please click HERE.