02/12/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | DEC 2, 2025

25

T HE sentient animals of the fictional city of Zootopia are back with a fairytale for our times, examining how the powerful exploit our prejudices, in a family-friendly movie Disney hopes will be a big holiday hit. Nine years after the Oscar-winning first instalment, Zootopia 2 – known as Zootropolis 2 in some markets – delves deeper into a world that has grossed over a billion dollars at the global box office, despite – or because of – its clear moral ambition. “The great thing about these movies is that they are like fables. These animals are a great way for us to hold a mirror up to human nature and the mistakes that we make,” Byron Howard, one of the two directors, said in Los Angeles. We are plunged back into the city of Zootopia, a modern metropolis where predators and prey have learned to coexist without devouring each other, but stereotypes continue to influence relations. Judy, the first rabbit to join the city’s police force, has proven to her macho colleagues – buffaloes, hippos and warthogs – that she deserves her place in the investigative department. Along the way, she forges an unexpected partnership with Nick, a solitary fox whose past as a con artist proves to be a valuable asset in uniform. Exploiting stereotypes The budding friendship will be tested by a high-stakes heist, carried out during the city’s centennial gala by a snake, a species long banned from the city. But when it comes time to arrest the culprit, Judy learns the rattlesnake – Gary – is simply trying to uncover a secret to restore his family’s honour. “We have a lot of misconceptions about reptiles and snakes in general,” says co-director Jared Bush. But Gary is “the most kind-hearted, warm, vulnerable character I think we’ve ever made.” Over Nick’s objections, Judy lets her quarry escape – turning her and her partner into fugitives and setting them on the path to discovering how Zootopia’s rulers have exploited stereotypes to keep reptiles out of the city. ACTOR Kiefer Sutherland, whose career spans four decades, said he got to expand his repertoire in the new Christmas movie Tinsel Town . Sutherland stars as past-his-prime Hollywood actor Bradley Mack. Deemed difficult and temperamental, Mack finds work drying up after he wraps the seventh instalment of his action movie franchise and is left with no choice but to accept an offer to appear in a play in England. But instead of London’s West End, Mack finds himself cast in a small town’s traditional Christmas pantomime production. Sutherland showcases his singing and dancing skills as well as a range of emotions as Mack connects with his colourful co-stars and his estranged young daughter. “I thought it was really heartwarming to follow a character

Zootopia 2 embraces diversity Shakira (centre) and her sons Milan Pique Mebarak (left) and Sasha Pique Mebarak attend the world premiere of Zootopia 2 in Los Angeles. – AFPPIC

But for the creators of Zootopia , these parallels with current events are simply a coincidence of timing for a story intended to be timeless and which took several years to develop. “As human beings, there’s this natural tendency to look at a difference in someone else and to worry about it, or have an opinion about it. What we’re trying to say with this movie is, yes, those differences exist, but we’re stronger because of them,” said Bush. – AFP

o Disney continues battle against prejudice amid Trump’s America

A pro-diversity fable With a soundtrack that includes catchy pop from Shakira – who also reprises her role as a gazelle – Disney has produced a pro-diversity tale that appears at odds with the current moment. As with the first instalment, released in 2016 at the beginning of Donald Trump’s first term, this lesson in living together jars with

the direction America has taken under a president who routinely disparages immigrants and has worked to undermine the notion of inclusivity. Disney, which conservatives accuse of being “woke”, has been the target of an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission, which is examining its hiring practices.

Like every odd couple, Judy and Nick clash repeatedly as they battle to the inevitable happy ending. “They have very different ways of looking at the world. “It was really fun for us to put them through the ringer and to basically have them look at each other and say: ‘Are these differences too much for our partnership to succeed?’”said Howard.

Kiefer Sutherland gets Christmas glow up in Tinsel Town

worried about working on my accent because I don’t normally have a Yorkshire accent and I forgot the accent and just was in the moment and it worked out perfectly,” she said. Tinsel Town is directed by Chris Foggin, who set out to make a movie all generations could watch together at Christmas. A celebration of the British pantomime tradition, it also stars Katherine Ryan as Mack’s agent and Derek Jacobi as Albert, who has devoted his life to the theatre form. “It celebrates Britishness, but it also celebrates kindness. It’s got a big, warm heart. My goodness, don’t we need that right now,” said actress Maria Friedman who plays a member of the troupe. Tinsel Town was released in select US theatres and digital platforms last Friday and debuts on Sky Cinema in the UK on Dec 5. – Reuters

that starts off the movie not the best version of themselves and through the Christmas spirit and his daughter, becomes the better version of himself. I think that’s a very kind of heartfelt, warm Christmas message,“ Sutherland said at the film’s premiere in London recently. “I’ve never done a song and dance number before, so that was a real challenge for me and very exciting. After 40 years of doing this as a profession, to be able to find new things to try, makes me really grateful,” Sutherland, 58, said. The film also stars Rebel Wilson as the pantomime’s choreographer Jill. Theodora Williams, daughter of pop star Robbie Williams and actress Ayda Field, makes her acting debut as Jill’s daughter Cara. “My mum gave me advice to enjoy the moment. I was really

Sutherland (right) is stepping into the festive season with Tinsel Town – a warm, witty and wonderfully British Christmas comedy. – PIC FROM KIEFERSUTHERLAND