'Cryptozoo' is an animated drama centering around zookeepers that work towards safeguarding cryptids. Spearheading the acquisition and protection of the mysterious animals is Lauren Grey who works for Joan, the woman who runs 'Cryptozoo', the sanctuary housing a number of the mythical creatures.
The film opens by showing a couple in a forest, Matthew and Magdalene, enjoying the outdoors, making love and afterwards stumbling on a fence. After crossing, the two encounter a unicorn that proceeds to defend itself and kills Matthew. Enraged, Magdalene proceeds to kill the unicorn. Elsewhere, we are introduced to Lauren who reminisces about suffering horrible nightmares as a child until her bad dreams are taken from her by Baku, a magical animal that feeds on dreams. Now an adult, Lauren is set on finding Baku. At the same time Nicholas, a military man, has set out on a mission with that same goal, only to obtain the animal to be used as a weapon. Lauren is introduced to Phoebe, a gorgon that is trying to lead a normal life and wants to help other cryptids by joining Lauren and Joan in their efforts. Phoebe is shown around the Cryptozoo, yet the place resembles more of an amusement park than a sanctuary. Lauren tries to reassure her that it is a stepping stone towards introducing the cryptids to the wider public and is the start of what can become a safe-haven for the animals.
On their quest to find Baku, Lauren and Phoebe track the animal, yet Nicholas is hot on their trail. As they find the cryptid, Lauren and Phoebe are captured by Nicholas and his forces with the help of another cryptid, Gustav the Faun. The group are then taken to Cryptozoo, as Nicholas wants to capture the creatures housed there, however they come to find the place in chaos, as Magdalene had wandered the park and freed the caged animals. In trying to get out, Phoebe and Magdalene go to a cryptid that can enchant those around it, and convince it to lead the cryptids away from the sanctuary, back into hiding in the wild. At the same time, Lauren has a final goodbye with Joan, as she had sustained injuries in the chaos. The two speak of what Cryptozoo was supposed to be, with Lauren admitting that she had believed it would be a safe space for the cryptids, ultimately concluding that they are not meant to be caged. As she tries to find her way out of the zoo, she encounters Baku, yet refrains from trying to capture it. The feature closes with Lauren working as a vet, now leading a very different life.
'Cryptozoo' presents an intriguing premise, exploring the issues of animal protection, the invasive and exploitative nature of the military industrial complex and the moral quandaries surrounding peoples intentions and morals. The film is an animated drama, taking advantage of the medium to present an array of mystical and magical creatures, each more fantastic than the last, with many exhibiting magical powers. The style of animation that the film is made in provides the sense of a moving painting, pulling the viewer in, and effectively establishing the sense of exploring an old fairy tale-like land even though the feature is set in the present.
The film discusses the preservation of cryptids, whilst transparently evoking considerations of animal preservation in our own world. Conceptually the film sets out to open a discussion about the moral reasoning behind creating a sanctuary for endangered or at risk creatures. We are presented with the idea that Cryptozoo stands for - to be a safe place for cryptids and a stepping stone towards introducing the mythical creatures to the wider public. However as Phoebe, and the audience, walk through the park for the first time it becomes clear that the sanctuary has developed into an almost amusement park type of establishment, with the beast on display and merchandise being sold to sustain the park. Laura explains the necessity of such features, as the revenue generated from them is the one thing keeping the park open. Conflicted with this idea, Phoebe questions it, however Laura maintains that the animals need to be protected. Eventually however, the film does conclude on the though that perhaps keeping the cryptids caged is not in their best interest, and the foundation of Laura and Joan's reason behind opening the park is to be re-examined. As the animals are released and escape back into the wild, the film settles on the fact that our idea of trying to keep someone safe needs to exclude effectively imprisoning them. As a concept 'Cryptozoo' was a beautiful idea, however the practical execution lacked in consideration towards the cryptids and preserving their freedom. Here 'Cryptozoo' succeeds in starting a discussion about mindfulness and due consideration toward those who we may wish to protect, as all factors of the issue need to be considered.
The film also delves into considering the state of the military, as the intentions of Nicholas are explored to illustrate the single minded approach the military has to acquiring assets that they see as serving them and their goals, namely the subjugation and obliteration towards all those who stand in their way. The military are presented in a bad light, highlighting them as a force of evil that will do all it can to achieve its goals. The film ends with showing the army and its officers suffering defeat in a spectacular fashion with all its members meeting a horrible end, with the creator of the feature expressing their dislike towards the ideology that the military stand behind.
The film carries with it a host of recognizable voices, with the cast including Lake Bell, Michael Cera, Angeliki Papoulia, Zoe Kazan, Peter Stormare, Grace Zabriskie, Louisa Krause and Thomas Jay Ryan. Bell voices Lauren, our protagonist and delivers a thrilling and versatile delivery from the actor, hitting the highs and lows that the story requires. More specifically, the conclusion of the film requires a sombre and somewhat dire execution, with Bell tackling the task well.
‘Cryptozoo’ is an intriguing feature, presenting complex issues surrounding wildlife preservation and the examination of the moral and ethical reasons behind our approach towards achieving that goal. With concluding by leaving the protagonist in a different place from where she started, the film maintains that when we are trying to tackle an issue as difficult as trying to safeguard endangered creatures, we need to remember the reason for trying to do that in the first place, namely the welfare and well-being of those creatures.
Score: 3/4
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