Back in March, when we were on our Spring Break trip to Colorado, we went to the theater to see Zootopia. My kids had been looking forward to it for months {and I’d been looking forward to it even longer!} but it was Zac’s first time in a movie theater, and he didn’t quite make it all the way through. That means that I didn’t quite make it all the way through- so I’ve been counting down the days until I could get my hands on the Blu-ray!
Minutes after our copy arrived, it was in the player and we were all huddled around the TV watching Officer Hopps and that wily Nick Wilde. The movie was even funnier- there was so much that we caught the second time around that we totally missed the first time- and the ending was worth waiting for!
The Blu-ray copy has a ton of bonus features, so we got to dive even deeper into Zootopia. Here’s what’s included:
- Zoology: The Roundtables – Ginnifer Goodwin hosts an in-depth look at the movie’s characters, animation, environments and more. The artists at Disney Animation give a rare and in-depth look at the complexities of bringing an all-animal world to life from the ground-breaking technology behind the characters’ fur and clothing to the varied and vast environments of Tundratown, Sahara Square and the Rainforest District as well as the deep thought and research given to bringing 64 unique animal species to life through animation.
- The Origin of an Animal Tale – Follow the story’s development from its origins to a big story shift that turned the film upside down. In this feature-length documentary, filmmakers give a candid look into the difficulties of creating the story of Zootopia and the bold decision to switch the main character late in the production process, putting one resolute rabbit center stage.
- Research: A True-Life Adventure – The filmmakers traveled the globe to find inspiration for the diverse characters and amazing city of Zootopia. They reflect on the importance of research and how a deep dive into animal behavior at Disney Animal Kingdom theme park and a deep immersion into animal society on the African savanna shaped and inspired the characters of Zootopia and changed the filmmakers’ lives forever.
- P.D. Forensic Files – Find the movie’s hidden Easter Eggs. Every city has its hidden gems, especially when it has been created by the filmmakers of Disney Animation who love nothing more than sprinkling hidden references to some of Disney’s greatest animated features throughout the story.
- Scoretopia – Academy Award®-winning composer, Michael Giacchino spotlights five of cinema’s greatest percussionists and how they brought an organic, animalistic sound to his powerful and emotional music score.
- Deleted Characters – Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore introduce citizens of Zootopia who did not make the final cut.
- Deleted Scenes:
- Alternate Opening – Young Judy Hopps rescues a fellow classmate and realizes she can reach beyond a life in carrot farming to a future in law enforcement.
- Wild Times! Pitch – Nick desperately pitches the bankers of Zootopia on funding Wild Times!, an amusement park made exclusively for the predators of Zootopia and a sure-fire, money-making scheme for Nick and his friends.
- Alternate Homesick Hopps – After a frustrating first day on the force, Judy has a conversation with her parents. See how this scene changed from a heartfelt conversation with her parents to tough love when her parents discover their daughter is only a meter maid and not a “real cop.”
- Detective Work – Judy borrows a fellow officer’s computer to conduct research, which turns out to be no small task.
- Alternate Jumbo Pop – In this early version of the story where Nick was the main character, the filmmakers and Jason Bateman were able to take hustling to a new level.
- Hopps’ Apartment – When Judy’s entire family pays her a surprise visit they are shocked to discover the company she’s keeping.
- The Taming Party – In this emotional clip from an early version of “Zootopia,” Judy attends her first “taming party” and gains a deeper understanding of the plight of the predator.
- “Try Everything” Music Video by Shakira
Of course, one of the best characters is Flash. Whenever he’s on the screen you can’t help but laugh! I made this printable for my desk- if Flash speaks to your soul too, you’re welcome to grab it here!
Zootopia is one of our family’s favorite movies and I’m sure our Blu-ray has a nice new home inside the player, where it will be played on repeat for weeks or months to come. If your family loves Zootopia like mine does, be sure to pick up your copy at a store near you or on Amazon today!
While you’re at it, be sure to check out all these fun freebies- you can download instructions for the three activities above- DIY Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps Backpacks, a Zootopia Guess Who Game, and even a set of Would You Rather cards- by clicking here or on the image above! You can also download 15 free printable activity pages, including a maze, a spot the differences page, and more! {It’s a fun way to keep the kids entertained this summer- when they aren’t watching Zootopia, of course.}
Love Disney movies? Don’t miss these: Finding Dory Memory Card Game | The Good Dinosaur Free Printable Activities | Finding Dory Coloring Pages & Activity Sheets