Nine years ago, Disney released “Zootopia,” and it instantly became a classic for all the kids of that generation, myself included.
So, when “Zootopia 2” was released, I was a bit skeptical because sequels can be tricky to make, and most recent ones have fallen flat. Thankfully, I was wrong; the movie honors the original while also excitingly expanding the storyline.
Set several years after the original, “Zootopia 2” follows detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as the city faces a new threat: Gary, a mysterious reptile who has been stealing valuable artifacts from all around the metropolis. As Judy and Nick try to stop Gary, they uncover the hidden social tensions between the mammals and the overlooked groups of Zootopia.
Much like the last film, “Zootopia 2” focuses its main message on inclusion and fairness. Although, this time, the messaging feels forced, as the ideas are introduced naturally with the flow of the plot.
The movie also highlights the dynamic between Judy and Nick and how they handle the case, adding depth and emotion to their characters.
“Cleverly layering a thoughtful message onto another crackerjack caper while solidifying Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as one of the most endearing buddy pairings in ages, “Zootopia 2” more than justifies a return trip to the big city,” The Critic Consensus said on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rotten Tomatoes also gave the movie a 91% on the Tomatometer and a 96% on the Popcornmeter, a rating that shows how much the general audience liked the movie.
Unlike many sequels that place characters in similar predicaments and milk popular side characters, this one also allows us to see the effects of the first movie.
“It is also notable that the stakes are raised in this sequel, and the sequel, while it picks up where the first movie left off, is not merely riding on the popularity of the original (like so many sequels and remakes), but matches the original in quality,” a reviewer on IMDb.com said.
After solving such a big case in the first film, Judy and Nick aren’t constantly doubted now by the police chief, which allows the movie to focus more on the two as partners and on the new problem the city faces.
While the film does showcase previous side characters like Flash, the sloth, and Mr. Big, the mafia boss, these characters’ appearances aren’t forced and fit within the plotline. Instead, new exciting side characters are introduced, who expand the story and give the audience memorable moments.
Adding new characters allows “Zootopia 2” to feel more like a new story, rather than a soulless cash grab like many previous Disney sequels have felt.
One of my favorite characters was Nibbles Maplestick,played by comedian Fortune Feimster, a beaver that runs a podcast, who ends up helping Judy and Nick in their investigation. Her humor fits well with the tone of the film. I also think it’s cool that Nibbles is a podcaster, as it reflects the growing popularity of podcasting.
She seems like a character that was only meant to play a small role, but the creators liked her so much that they kept her around, which in my opinion was a good idea. Her addition to the film expands the plot in a humorous and exciting way.
“The story gets complicated, with many moving parts and a lot of action, but the focus is always on what Nick and Judy are learning about choices, strategies, and being good friends. There is a joyful ebullience throughout. The action is exciting; the humor is endearing,” Neil Minow said on Rogerebert.com.
My only criticism of the film is the limited screen time Gary, the main villain, gets. Despite being such a big part of the plot, his character feels underdeveloped, since many of Gary’s actions happen off-screen.
Overall, this isn’t a film that blows you away, but it is an excellent addition to the beloved movie, with an interesting plot and a great message that is easy for kids to grasp. It’s the perfect kids movie to watch with your 7-year-old cousin this holiday break.
