7 Lessons to Learn from the Movie Zootopia

Zootopia follows the story of a rabbit named Judy Hopps as she fulfills her dreams of becoming a police officer despite the challenges, which included seemingly physical limitations, prejudice and politicking. The movie is a good reflection of our society and the difficulties we face. Having presented the ills and beauty of human nature by according human characteristics to animals, it gives a safe and non-confrontational invitation for us to reflect on how we can become better as a society.  

I highly recommend everyone to watch it. I support movies that provide a good material for parents to instill values in their children and I believe that this is one of those movies.
 
7 Lessons to Learn
Let me summarize the seven lessons for those who do not want any spoilers.

1. Following Your Dreams
When do we chase after our dreams and when should we give up?

2. We Can Overcome Our Natural Tendencies
While we have the disposition towards an unfavorable habit or characteristic, we can have the strength to resist this nature and do something better.

3. Everyone Can Change for the Better
Even those who have done bad things can become kinder and better as time goes by.

4. Peaceful Co-existence is Possible
While we are all different and we have different needs, we can all live together in harmony.

5. Refusing to Accord Rightful Dignity to Anyone Can Force One to Do Bad Things
Everyone has inherent dignity and if that dignity is assaulted, the assaulted party will eventually be forced to rise up to claim what is rightfully theirs. If there are no legitimate and just ways available to this aggrieved party, he might resort to unfavorable ways.

6. There is a Place for Everyone
The world is a wide place. There is literally a space for everyone to live in a dignified manner.

7. You Can Be the First
If no one else has done it before, that doesn’t mean you can’t. You can always be the first.

Spoiler Alert: Some examples used may not have been shown in any trailers. As much as possible, I will try not to be too detailed but please be warned. Alternatively, I invite you to bookmark this page to read it after watching the movie.

7 Lessons to Learn (Expanded)

1. Following Your Dreams
When do we chase after our dreams and when should we give up?
Some of us continue to exhaust all means to chase after our dreams. Some of us seem to have given up. As Judy Hopps was chasing after her dreams, her parents gave a well-meaning advice stating that she could be content even if she didn’t chase after her dreams, that even if her dreams didn’t come true, she can still be happy.
 
So what is the right answer? I have been trying to figure this out for some time and right now, this is what I can conclude. I’m convinced that each one should know what one values the most and what are the consequences of pursuing their dreams, that is, would pursuing their dreams go against what they value the most.
 
Mr and Mrs Hopps in the movie told Judy that it is ok to not to pursue her dream and she can still be content in Bunnyburrow. I believe what they were effectively saying was that their values of having a family and being close to their loved ones were more important than their other dreams. Judy, on the other hand, probably values proving to people that she can become a police officer despite the obvious disadvantage in physique, and chasing after her dream is in accordance with her values.

​This reminds me of a scene from Mona Lisa Smile. Joan Brandwyn (Julia Stiles) had always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. But when she was confronted with a choice of pursuing her dream to be a lawyer or her dream to be a wife, she chooses the latter. In a particular scene, Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) approaches Joan with booklets on law schools where she can continue to pursue her education with little conflict with her married life. Joan shared that she values being a wife and a mother more than being a lawyer, and hence, she choose not to chase after her dreams.
 
Each one’s answer might be different. If you want to follow or not follow your dreams, be sure that it meets what your values are.
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Watch Mona Lisa Smile here

2. We Can Overcome Our Natural Tendencies
​While we have the disposition towards an unfavorable habit or characteristic, we can have the strength to resist this nature and do something better.
 
In Zootopia, preys and predators live in harmony with each other. This sounds odd as predators have a biological disposition to hunt preys and kill. How this happened was not clearly explained in the movie but it happened.
 
If the animals in Zootopia are supposed to represent mankind, to me the message is clear. Even if human beings have the tendency to be violent or to be selfish or to protect our own selves, we are endowed with the capacity to resist these negative tendencies.
 
We can choose not to express our anger in a non-violent way, we can choose not to fight, we can choose to protect, and we can choose to give. We can choose to do positive things, even if they are seemingly against our natural tendencies.
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3. Everyone Can Change for the Better
Even those who have done bad things can become kinder and better as time goes by.
 
Gideon Grey, a red fox from Bunnyburrow used to be a bully when he was younger but he eventually made amend with those he bullied. He even managed to earn the trust and respect of Judy’s parents. He serves as a great reminder to us that people change, and they can change for the better.
 
I personally feel that this is relevant because even today, ex-prisoners find it difficult to get jobs. Their re-integration to society more often does not go smoothly so I think it is right that we are reminded that people can become better, and kinder.

4. Peaceful Co-existence is Possible
While we are all different and we have different needs, we can all live together in harmony.
 
The movie was really so creative that they managed to design a city that meets the needs of different animals. Zootopia has different districts that include a rainforest, a snow place and an actual city to name a few. This allows for animals with different needs to exist together and work in the city. Even in the city, there is a miniature city for mice. It truly shows different races living together with different needs being met.
 
We human beings are not much different from animals physically. Where we differ is at our core. We have different needs, wants and beliefs. While this poses a greater challenge, I believe that one day, we can peacefully co-exist and I believe that it’s one of those lessons that the movie is trying to bring up.

5. Refusing to Accord Rightful Dignity to Anyone Can Force One to Do Bad Things
Everyone has inherent dignity and if that dignity is assaulted, the assaulted party will eventually be forced to rise up to claim what is rightfully theirs. If there are no legitimate and just ways available to this aggrieved party, he might resort to unfavorable ways.
 
Although preys and predators were living together in harmony, prejudice and unfair treatment still existed. In the case of Dawn Bellwether, Zootopia’s assistant mayor, it was shown that she was treated like a ‘glorified secretary’. Albeit naturally kind, this unfair treatment that goes against the dignity of an assistant mayor has turned her into the villain.
Everyone deserves respect. Everyone is entitled to a just treatment. And when that does not happen, the last resort may include rebelling against the system.
 
We can pride ourselves that we have The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but there are many who still do not enjoy these rights. And I believe is one of the causes of disunity and unrest. Zootopia did a great job incorporating this into the plot and this can be a great opportunity for parents to share the message of respect and justice to their kids.

6. There is a Place for Everyone
The world is a wide place. There is literally a space for everyone to live in a dignified manner.
 
This lesson was inspired by the train that Judy boarded on to get to Zootopia. In this scene, there are different cabins according to the physical sizes of the animals. It really made me feel that the world is not getting crowded; you can always find a place for someone that meets his or her needs.
 
Maybe, the world feels crowded because there are more and more individuals or countries that want to expand beyond their needs. While I agree on meritocracy, I think this should be done conscientiously and with concern for the valid needs of others.
 
If you don’t really need that space, then someone else can use it according to his needs. Then, we’ll be able to create a space for everyone.

7. You Can Be the First
If no one else has done it before, that doesn’t mean you can’t. You can always be the first.
 
We always look for role models but what if there are no role models for what you want to achieve? Then be one. Be the first to achieve what has not been achieved.
 
Before Judy Hopps, there was no rabbit in the police force. Before Nick Wilde, there was no fox in the police force. Just because it was not done before does not mean you cannot achieve it.
 

​A movie was made about the life of Carl Maxie Brashear. Entitled ‘Men of Honor’, it showed what Carl had to go through and work towards becoming the first African-American U.S. Navy Master Diver. Not only that, he became the first amputee diver to be recertified as a U.S. Navy diver. The scene where he had to take 12 steps in order to get recertified was particularly inspiring.
 
​​Let’s not let our selves be discouraged if we want to achieve something that has not been done before. It hasn’t been done yet not because it’s impossible, but because someone still has to have the guts to find out how to do it. That someone could you be.

Watch Men of Honor here.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. The script was witty, and the story line was tight. I highly recommend watching it.
 
For those who are interested, I invite you to read my article Catechism Through Zootopia on how Catholic Doctrines are displayed by some of the scenes in the film.