THE ART OF ZOOTOPIA text by Jessica Julius (Chronicle Books, 978-145212-2236)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Zooto.....dp_product_img

This gorgeous book -- the paper equivalent of a rather self-congratulatory DVD special feature -- is an interesting peek into the science-fictional process of worldbuilding. What would a 21st century city look like if it was designed by and for nonhuman mammals?

As the filmmakers are fond of pointing out, the world of ZOOTOPIA (ZOOTROPOLIS in the UK) is too large for one feature film. What got left out (besides the birds and reptiles, who apparently live on other continents) are a number of supporting characters, but what I found especially interesting are the early concept and character sketches from a much darker premise than the finished film: one that began with a dystopian vision of the outnumbered predators being forced to wear inhibitor collars, and of both Nick and Judy brandishing guns. (Firearms, of course, are conspicuous in the movie by their absence.)

There's a lot to enjoy in the book, especially when you compare the work-in-progress to the finished buddy/romcom/noir that Disney painstakingly assembled.