‘Zootopia 2’ traffics in real-world ideas — even if they’re covered with fur or snake scales

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Disney’s new movie, “Zootopia 2,” follows up on the success of the original 2016 film, but tackles more serious themes. The story centers around powerful figures in Zootopia who want to take land from native animals. They plan to convince everyone that these animals are dangerous to justify forcing them out. If the displaced animals try to defend themselves or reclaim their homes, they’ll be portrayed as violent, and anyone who supports them will be branded as a criminal.

Things are heating up for police partners Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps (voiced by Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin). After successfully saving Zootopia from a dangerous villain in the first movie, they now need to demonstrate they can work well together. Their latest mistake has gotten them in trouble with Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), and it’s unclear if their very different personalities will allow them to function as a team. Judy is driven by a strong sense of justice, while Nick is more focused on looking out for himself. In reality, Nick only became a police officer because he cares about Judy, not because he felt a strong calling to the job.

As Judy and Nick explore new parts of Zootopia, including the exile community at the Marsh Market, their partnership is put to the test. They’re searching for Gary De’Snake, a viper with a fondness for fanny packs, and Pawbert Lynxley, a wealthy and idealistic lynx. Their mission is to uncover proof that will restore the reputations of Zootopia’s reptiles, who have been unfairly ostracized for decades.

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Jared Bush, who wrote and co-directed with Byron Howard (the team behind the first “Zootopia”), cleverly uses actor Ke Huy Quan’s own life story as a Vietnamese immigrant to create a character, Gary, who is both strong and kind. Disney once again manages to make an unlikely character – a large snake – incredibly lovable, and Quan perfectly captures that warmth with his voice acting. The movie also brings back beloved minor characters from the original, like Flash the sloth and Mr. Big the shrew, adding to Judy and Nick’s developing story. However, the complex plot means we don’t get quite enough time with the new characters, Gary and Pawbert, even though the director does find ways to include the supporting cast.

Just like the first film, “Zootopia 2” is stunning to look at, especially considering how many different characters and detailed settings are featured. The expressive faces of new characters, like the worried Pawbert and the kind Gary, really showcase the incredible skill of Disney’s animators and their mastery of 3-D computer animation.

Following some uneven sequels like those for “Frozen” and “Moana”, “Zootopia 2” stands out as Disney’s most successful animated sequel to date. It largely sticks to the winning formula of the original – clever animal puns, a catchy song by Shakira, and a surprising villain – this time a wealthy, approval-seeking character reminiscent of Elon Musk. However, “Zootopia 2” feels more impactful and focused in its exploration of complex themes. It’s a film with high stakes, where villains are willing to kill and heroes are prepared to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs.

As I’ve been thinking about this movie, it’s become pretty clear there’s a disconnect between the artists who actually made it and the folks running the studio. They’re pushing hard into AI and seem to be giving in to complaints about being “too woke.” Honestly, those same people would probably think a “Zootopia 2” is really pushing the envelope – maybe even having Judy and Nick question whether they’re part of a system that’s a little too controlling. It’s kind of strange, but in today’s world, this “Zootopia” series is delivering some surprisingly deep ideas, all wrapped up in a fun, colorful package with animal characters.

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2025-11-25 20:32