Zootopia is likely to be the best animated movie of the year. Yes, it may even be better than whatever Pixar has to offer in 2016.

This movie is charming and makes commentary on social issues in a manner that is entertaining to children and that won’t have adults feeling restless.

Before I delve into the more complex aspects of the film, let me break the film down for you.

Zootopia tells the story of a rabbit named Judy Hops (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) who lives in a rural rabbit town where bunnies are expected to grow up to become carrot farmers. Judy, however, has bigger dreams.

Judy dreams of being a cop in the urban city of Zootopia where all animals, predators and prey alike, are perceived to live together in harmony.

She accomplishes her goal but is quickly underestimated until she cracks a case with her fox friend Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) that changes Zootopian society forever.

Now, when I walked into this film, the theater was packed with mostly children.

I was nervous and already annoyed, as I expected there to be a lot of talking and at least one ever popular crying baby. But I was surprised at how attentive the audience was and at the amount of laughter I heard from both children and adults.

Zootopia was thoughtful in the sense that many of its jokes may have flown over children’s heads and catered to adults.

However, this is not done often enough to leave children confused. It’s done in a very subtle manner. An example of this subtlety is when Judy tries to solve an equation. She says rabbits are good at multiplying. Get it? It goes both ways.

One not so subtle joke the film makes is a commentary on the struggle we have all experienced as adults when visiting the DMV. The workers are sloths, and they move incredibly slow.

Children laugh at how slow the sloths work because Judy is in a rush, but us adults chuckle because we can relate.

Aside from its jokes, Zootopia criticizes the manner in which society is quick to make judgments about a person because of what he or she looks like.

There is prejudice against foxes; they are perceived to be untrustworthy.

Towards the climax of film, 14 predators have become savages, leading to the stereotype that all predators are the same. Sound familiar?

Zootopia is inspirational, and it ends on a positive note. It gives viewers hope that our society will someday be able to live together in peace such as Zootopian predators and prey.

The film is entertaining from start to finish.

Don’t be discouraged by its childish appearance. Watch it, and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

(Four Stars)