Featured Image: (Pacer Graphic / Darby Self)

Zootopia 2 is a cinematic masterpiece that immediately pulls audiences back into the colorful world they fell in love with in the original film.

From its energetic opening sequence to its emotional conclusion, the movie does not lose momentum. The film’s animation is vibrant, the humor is witty and the storytelling is clear and heartfelt.

Zootopia 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the original hit Disney film Zootopia (2016). The original movie introduced audiences to Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), who became the first bunny to join the police force. Very early in her career, she met Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a sly fox con artist. Their unlikely partnership becomes the heart of the film as they later team up to investigate a missing mammals case, eventually solving it.

The second film picks up the story of Judy and Nick and their newfound official partnership within the police department. It takes off when a mysterious reptile arrives in Zootopia, Judy and Nick are pulled into an investigation that takes them into parts of Zootopia they’ve never seen before.

SPOILER WARNING

The opening scene of the movie shows Judy and Nick missing from the morning meeting at the police station. Instead of being there, they are on their own self-made assignment of a raid on a smuggling ring. This ultimately leads to destruction in the city, causing Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) to be extremely mad and threatening to separate them. After finding a piece of shed snake skin in the car she crashed, Judy begins to believe there might be a snake roaming Zootopia, but she is told not to engage and investigate.

Of course, she does not listen to this and wrangles Nick into investigating with her. The clues Judy found led her to believe the snake was going to attack at the Zootenial Gala; which was celebrating the centennial anniversary of the city’s founding and hosted by a family of lynxes, descendants of Zootopia’s founder Ebenezer Lynxley. Judy and Nick did not have access to the gala so they broke in. While at the Gala, Judy befriends Pawbert (Andy Samberg), the odd youngest son of the Lynxley family. Nick, being dragged out by Chief Bogo, notices a hooded figure on top of the lights, who revealed himself to be a pit viper named Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan). Amidst the panic, Gary kidnaps Milton (David Stratharin), the Lynxley father and takes access to the journal that explains the weather walls, while Judy chases after.

Judy and Nick get caught in the crossfire and are named as accomplices to the snake, making them fugitives. They now have to work to figure out the true story to clear their name. In order to do this, they meet up with Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), a conspiracy theorist Judy found online. Nibbles takes them to Marsh Market, a secluded part of Zootopia where a community of reptiles hide and they learn that the reptiles’ original home was buried during the construction of Tundratown. 

Later in the movie, Judy is saved by Gary and his motorcyclist helper, who is later revealed to be Pawbert, while Nick is arrested. The investigation eventually reveals long-buried secrets about Zootopia’s founding, leading to betrayals, arrests and a dramatic confrontation that tests Judy and Nick’s partnership. The full outcome of the case is best experienced by watching the film.

Personally, Zootopia 2 works because it builds on what made the original movie special. I was very impressed by how the film did not feel like a recycled plot of the first one. The new locations make the city feel bigger and more robust. Every new location adds depth to the city and makes it feel like a living place rather than just a backdrop for the story. 

What stood out to me most was how fun the movie is. The comedy comes natural—rather than being a random joke placed in a line. One of the most memorable moments was when Nibbles busted through the door and said “It takes a twosome to do some, but a threesome to be some!” The unexpected delivery and absurdity of the moment made it one of the funniest scenes in the film.

Another aspect of the film I loved was the amount of cameos seen. Of course, there is the original cameo from Shakira, who is Zootopia’s biggest pop star Gazelle, but there are also many other famous people who can be heard throughout the film. Instead of feeling distracting and overpowering, they enhance the experience and reward fans who are familiar with the franchise by hearing these recognizable voices. These actors include: Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, Ke Huy Quan, Quinta Brunson, Robert Irwin, Patrick Warburton and many more.

Overall, Zootopia 2 exceeded my expectations. It’s a sequel that respects its original film while expanding its world and delivers a story that’s entertaining and meaningful. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original or new to the franchise, this is a movie worth seeing.

Grade: 10/10