If you were one of the millions who fell head over heels for the vibrant, whimsical world of Zootopia all those years ago, you probably headed into "Zootopia 2" with a mix of on-again, off-again excitement and anticipation - a healthy dose of hope, a pinch of fear that it'd be a follow-up disappointment. Sequels to the beloved Disney films can be a bit of a minefield - do they somehow recapture that magic, or do they end up feeling like a lesser, watered down retread?
The good news is that Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are back, & just as charmingly offbeat as ever. The heart of the original film, the central relationship between the two, remains the sequel's strongest suit. Their banter is still wicked sharp, their partnership is utterly earned, & the way their differing personalities play off one another - Judy's relentless 'can-do' attitude & Nick's sly, sardonic wit - still manage to pull off genuinely funny moments. I especially loved seeing Nick give over to his inner cop - even if it does mean he loses a bit of that smooth con-man edge for a more straight-laced, if still wickedly witty, take on things.
A New Case, A Familiar Vibe
This time around, it's a mysterious reptilian bad guy & a trip into the hitherto unseen Marsh Market that pulls our heroes into Zootopia's hidden corners. The film brings in a fantastic new bunch of voice talent, including Ke Huy Quan as the lovable pit viper Gary & Fortune Feimster as a loopy conspiracy-theory podcasting nutjob - which injects a burst of fresh energy & some really great laughs into the city.
The visuals, oh wow, just look amazing. The animation is top-notch, the texture of the fur looks absolutely real and the sheer scope of Zootopia is just as impressive as you'd want it to be. There's particular stand-out work in the water-tube chase sequence which really shows off just how good the animation is.
The Big 'But'
Now, onto that inevitable 'but'.
While the film is undeniably a delightful, family-friendly adventure, it doesn't quite reach the same dizzying heights as the original. The first 'Zootopia' just nailed the complex stuff, tackling themes of prejudice and systemic bias with remarkable insight for an animated film. 'Zootopia 2' tries, of course, offering up some great messages about celebrating differences, and the importance of partnership - but this time around the social commentary feels a little more muted, a little more reserved. It gets the point across, but it doesn't quite pack the same punch.
Some critics have said the sequel is "a bit toothless", & while that might be a bit harsh, there's a bit of truth in it. The antagonists and the underlying conflict just don't feel as fundamentally compelling or relevant as the predator-prey divide that drove the first film.
The Verdict
Does 'Zootopia 2' live up to the original? Probably not, no. But is it a fantastic time at the cinema? Absolutely.
If you're after a movie that's got heart, looks gorgeous, & will have you laughing out loud - & one that reunites you with two of the most charismatic animated heroes in years - then you'll leave feeling pretty satisfied. It's the kind of high-quality, popcorn-munching entertainment that Disney does so well - a movie that'll have the kids cheering & the adults smiling at the great dialogue & the beautiful world-building.