I walked into the theater to see Zootopia 2 in a state of almost blessed ignorance. I religiously avoided every trailer, looked away from every promotional image, and stayed far away from the social media buzz. I knew nothing about the critical reception or the general audience sentiment. My only wish was simple, yet loaded with anxiety: I hoped for a solid sequel that wouldn’t tarnish the nearly untouchable legacy of the original. The 2016 film wasn’t just a massive box office hit; it was a cultural touchstone that achieved the rare feat of balancing a vibrant, hilarious police procedural with a surprisingly deep allegory about racial prejudice and fear. It’s an incredibly high bar, and Disney’s track record with animated sequels is, to put it politely, inconsistent. Often, these second chapters dilute the magic by retreading the same ground or, worse, undoing the character growth we invested our time in. Fortunately, my concerns dissipated almost instantly.
Zootopia 2, directed again by the talented duo Byron Howard (Tangled) and Jared Bush (Encanto), with Bush also handling screenplay duties, picks up the action a few weeks after the transformative events of the first movie. Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time) as Judy Hopps and Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) as Nick Wilde are now official partners on the force, flashing their badges side by side. However, the honeymoon phase of their professional dynamic proves short-lived; their opposing styles — Judy’s methodical optimism versus Nick’s pragmatic cynicism — create enough friction for Idris Elba (The Suicide Squad) as Chief Bogo to enroll them in mandatory therapy. The real trial for their bond arises, however, when they are tasked with tracking down Gary (Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once), a mysterious and seemingly dangerous snake who surfaces in a city that allegedly hasn’t harbored reptiles in a century. What starts as a manhunt (or snakehunt) spirals into a conspiracy involving the powerful and aristocratic Lynxley family, particularly the awkward Pawbert (Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and unravels uncomfortable truths about the foundation of this animal utopia.
Many of the praises I sang for the original work apply vigorously here. The humor remains brilliantly clever, constantly playing with innate animal behaviors and stereotypical views on specific species in a way that elicits genuine laughter from both kids and adults. The world-building continues to be one of the saga’s strongest points, packed with delightful visual details and pop culture references that reward the attentive viewer. From a clear and hilarious homage to the third act of The Shining to visual gags with streaming channels featuring animal variations of famous Disney titles, like “The Pandalorian” or “Giraffic Park,” Zootopia 2 is a feast for sharp eyes and proves the creators had a blast expanding this universe.
While the first film focused on the obvious dichotomy between prey and predator, tackling fear and prejudice with the inspiring central message that “anyone can be anything,” the sequel dives into equally deep and complex thematic waters. The central theme here shifts from individual prejudice to attacking historical revisionism and the way history is often manipulated and sanitized in favor of the wealthiest, most powerful class. Bush constructs a brave narrative about historical exclusion and the systemic erasure of less favored populations through the introduction of the reptile community, hidden and segregated in zones outside the city, serving as a potent comparison to economic inequality and institutionalized racism in our own world. Zootopia 2 touches on the wound of the intentional omission of indigenous or marginalized histories from the dominant narrative, suggesting that utopias are often built on the shoulders (or scales) of those pushed to the margins. It’s a bold thematic evolution for a family flick: building a better future necessarily implies correcting and acknowledging the mistakes of the past.
Regarding the heart of the story, Judy and Nick traverse reinforcement arcs rather than a total transformation, given that their main personal conflicts were very well resolved in the original. Here, we witness the honing of their maturity and resilience, both in their professional and personal partnership. Zootopia 2 explores the intricacies of two vastly different characters working together, focusing on the idea that true partnership doesn’t mean agreeing on everything, but knowing when to trust the other’s instinct. Nick, in particular, has moments of surprising vulnerability, fighting his instinct to close himself off emotionally. The ultimate success of Judy and Nick lies not just in their ability to solve the crime at hand, but in the courage to shine a light on Zootopia’s most uncomfortable truths, proving that a true utopia must constantly work to be more inclusive and that the weight of the world shouldn’t depend on just one animal.
The voice cast, which already bordered on perfection, manages to raise the bar even higher. Most of the original cast is back with the same infectious energy, but the new additions are absolutely wonderful. Ke Huy Quan is a delight as Gary, bringing a nervous optimism and sweetness that completely subverts the scary image of a venomous snake. Samberg brings his usual comedic persona to Pawbert, making him immediately likable; Patrick Warburton (The Emperor’s New Groove) lends his unmistakable voice, which fits this universe like a glove; and Fortune Feimster (Yes Day) steals every scene she enters as Nibbles, a beaver obsessed with conspiracy theories. As a wrestling fan, I’m also compelled to highlight the surprising duo of WWE superstars, Roman Reigns and CM Punk, as the “Zebros,” who bring a hilariously unexpected vocal physicality to their roles.
Technically, Zootopia 2 is impeccable. The animation remains fantastic, especially in the representation of textures and aquatic environments, making the world even more tangible. Shakira‘s new anthem is as catchy and energetic as the first, promising to stay stuck in your head for weeks on end, while the score by Michael Giacchino (Up) is, as expected, flawless, elevating a movie that possesses heavier emotional moments and more ambitious action sequences than its predecessor. I would say the main mystery, in its purely “police procedural” aspect, is less mysterious or truly gripping than the conspiracy of the first film. It’s fun, undoubtedly, and serves the purpose of moving the plot forward, but it perhaps lacks that unpredictable suspense hook the original had. However, the movie largely compensates for this slight narrative predictability with impeccable character execution and emotional depth that resonates long after the end credits.
Final Thoughts on Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2 asserts itself as a worthy and even necessary sequel, overcoming the natural loss of the novelty factor with a narrative that dares to dig deeper into the imperfect foundations of its utopia. Although the mystery doesn’t reach the suspenseful peaks of its predecessor, the film makes up for it with dazzling visual evolution, a voice cast in a state of grace, and a mature exploration of the partnership between Judy and Nick. It’s a movie that entertains as much as it provokes thought, refusing to offer easy answers to complex problems like historical erasure and social exclusion. More than just a simple animated adventure, this is a story about the responsibility to remember and correct, inspiring us to believe that building a better world requires the courage to look back so we can, finally, move forward together.
Rating: A-
Zootopia 2 is now playing in theaters.
Learn more about the film, including how to buy tickets, at the official website for the title.
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