DVDizzy Forum

Sotiris wrote:I believe it will be the latter. Think of Pixar Popcorn, but longer.

“ZOOTOPIA+” EPISODES:

“HOPP ON BOARD”
Embracing all the dynamic camera work, intense music and high-speed tropes of the best action films, this exciting episode takes viewers on a fast-paced adventure from Bunnyburrow to the heart of Zootopia as Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) boards a train to begin her new life in the big city. As her parents, Bonnie and Stu (Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake), tearfully watch the train pull out of the station, they realize that their youngest daughter, Molly, is also on board the train. Once this discovery has been made, Bonnie and Stu leave the comforts and security of their home and high-tail it in hot pursuit of the speeding train and the stowaway Molly. It’s a daring and wild ride as the duo pull out all the stops, and engage in some fast and furious stunt driving, to keep up with the train and attempt to rescue their young daughter.

“THE REAL RODENTS OF LITTLE RODENTIA”
“Zootopia+” offers its own distinct version of a reality show with this hilarious episode focusing on the upcoming wedding of Fru Fru (voiced by Leah Latham), daughter of Tundratown crime boss/head shrew, Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche). As she goes about planning the wedding with her friends, Christine (Porsha Williams), Charisma (Crystal Kung Minkoff), and Brianca (Katie Lowes), the sudden arrival of her childhood friend, Tru Tru (Michelle Buteau), upends the meeting, and sets into motion a feud, a life-saving incident, and a moment of reflection. All’s well that ends well, as Fru Fru remembers the essence of friendship, picks her “shrew of honor,” and moves forward with the wedding of her dreams.

“DUKE: THE MUSICAL”
Small-time weasel crook Duke Weaselton (Alan Tudyk) aims for the “big time” in this outrageous and fanciful musical episode that finds the career criminal rethinking his life and picturing himself as a good guy. He croons about setting things right, as he imagines choosing a variety of alternate paths and careers, including a used car salesman, a lawyer, a surgeon, an author, and even a financial genius (the “Weasel of Wall Street”). As an oil tycoon, he shoots for the moon, but comes crashing back to earth where he is confronted with his past proclivities. Set to an original song, “Big Time,” with music by Michael Giacchino and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, this episode has fun with the lighting, staging and over-the-top extravagant style of traditional musical theater and film.

“THE GODFATHER OF THE BRIDE”
Mr. Big takes center stage in this homage to the crime family genre. As he prepares for his daughter’s wedding, he flashes back to the old country and his hard-scrabble, humble origins as an immigrant shrew. Life was hard for a small mammal in a big world, but with the acquisition of a bicycle, an attitude of never feeling small, and a little help from some unlikely friends, Mr. Big builds a family and finds his place in the world. Imari Williams is heard as the voice of Rhino Boss.

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PRANCE”
When it comes to mega pop-star singing sensation, Gazelle (Allison Trujillo-Strong), there is no bigger fan in all of Zootopia than Benjamin Clawhauser (Nate Torrence), the Police Department’s most charming cheetah. When Clawhauser hears about a chance to audition for the talent competition show, “So You Think You Can Prance,” with the winner getting a chance to be Gazelle’s back-up dancer, it becomes his latest obsession. His efforts to enlist Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) to be his dancing partner is met with resistance. Just when it seems that his dreams are about to be crushed, Clawhauser discovers that a Chief never leaves his back-up behind. This entertaining and music-filled episode proves that dreams can come true.

“DINNER RUSH”
It’s 5:30 at a local Zootopia bistro, and Sam (Charlotte Nicdao), the Otter waiter, is looking to make a timely and hasty exit so that she can catch the Gazelle concert later that evening. All systems are go, and Sam is wrapping her last table, when Flash the Sloth (Raymond S. Persi) and his soon-to-be fiancée Priscilla (Kristen Bell) stroll in for dinner. The couple is not in any hurry, and Flash has a hidden agenda, as Sam tries to rush them along but sets off a series of disasters in the process. Will Sam make it to the concert on time? If you only see one Sloth rom-com this year, this is the one to
catch.

PatrickvD wrote: ↑Mon Nov 07, 2022 4:15 pm They could be telling great serialized stories. Instead we get Baymax and Zootopia+ that feel very much tailored to just small kids.

PatrickvD wrote: ↑Mon Nov 07, 2022 4:15 pm Why do they insist on making these D+ series so uneventful? It’s always a bunch of throwaway shorts with no story or character development.

They could be telling great serialized stories. Instead we get Baymax and Zootopia+ that feel very much tailored to just small kids.

It looks gorgeously animated at least. So there’s that.

PatrickvD wrote: ↑Mon Nov 07, 2022 4:15 pm Why do they insist on making these D+ series so uneventful? It’s always a bunch of throwaway shorts with no story or character development.

They could be telling great serialized stories. Instead we get Baymax and Zootopia+ that feel very much tailored to just small kids.

It looks gorgeously animated at least. So there’s that.

Jules wrote: ↑Tue Nov 08, 2022 7:00 am I suspect both this and Baymax! were intended as "lightweight" animated series for casual viewing. I suspect Tiana will be far more ambitious on a narrative level.

D82 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 08, 2022 5:13 pm

Jules wrote: ↑Tue Nov 08, 2022 7:00 am I suspect both this and Baymax! were intended as "lightweight" animated series for casual viewing. I suspect Tiana will be far more ambitious on a narrative level.

Tiana will be a long-form series, so you're probably right it will. Baymax!, Zootopia+ or Olaf Presents have very short episodes, so I think it makes sense they're more lightweight. Personally, I've been enjoying these short-form series, but it's true that the Zootopia+ trailer seems especially geared to little kids. I think the actual episodes will probably be better than that.