Zootopia: A Cultural Metaphor in a Utopian Setting

Abstract

Zootopia, produced by Disney Pictures, is a masterpiece that combines image and depth, featuring a strong comedic effect and a theme of pursuing dreams. Based on the real world, the film constructs an animal metropolis with a utopian touch, ingeniously replicating the human social system into the animal world. At the same time, it artistically recreates the cruelty and reality of modern society through metaphorical means, exposing many phenomena and problems hidden beneath the surface of peace, and presenting a contemporary contemplation on the utopian picture. The cultural metaphors in the film can be classified into three major categories: political metaphors, value metaphors, and consumer culture metaphors. Through the construction of identities, it reflects the ills of the current political ecosystem in the United States and the widespread group biases in society, reflecting the American value of advocating individual dreams and recreating the consumption symbols of the contemporary landscape society. Through the application of cultural metaphors, the film conducts a profound reflection on the real society and also enables the audience to feel the yearning and anticipation for the utopian ideal.