Review: Disney's 'Zootopia' is wildly entertaining

Boasting a pitch perfect voice cast led by a terrific Ginnifer Goodwin as a righteous rural rabbit who becomes the first cotton-tailed police recruit in the mammal-centric city of "Zootopia," the 3-D caper expertly combines keen wit with a gentle, and very timely, message of inclusivity and empowerment.

The engaging result should easily appeal to all creatures great and small, giving this premium Walt Disney Animation Studios effort a paw up on spring break entertainment, not to mention the summer arrival of Universal's animated "The Secret Life of Pets."

Nimbly directed by Byron Howard (Tangled, ''Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), along with co-director Jared Bush, who shares screenplay credit with Phil Johnston, the romp serves up plenty of sharply observed satire (a DMV manned entirely by sloths is played to hilariously protracted effect) wrapped up in judicious life lessons that never feel preachy or shoehorned-in.

Visually, the "Zootopia" canvas pops — with or without the 3-D glasses — thanks to a gorgeously vibrant color palette and whimsical architectural scales orchestrated by production designer David Goetz.