Zootopia 2

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For as much as I loved the first 'Zootopia,' I have to admit I wondered about 'Zootopia 2' being released to an audience who considers it "too little, too late." After all, there's almost a ten-year gap between the films. A lot of things released with such a gap seem to have that feeling behind them. With how impressively deep 'Zootopia' was, I figured this sequel would play more on laughs and the return of favourite characters, but lack the quality of the first film. This is one of those times I was very happy to be wrong.

The first 'Zootopia' explored themes of prejudice, racism, and stereotypes. It delivered cartoonish fun, with messages for both kids and adults. 'Zootopia 2' continues this tradition by revisiting these themes and adding modern issues such as misinformation, political fear-mongering, and empathy for the misunderstood. Our story picks up about a week after the last film. Bunny cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) partners with sly fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) at the Zootopia Police Department after closing the previous case, but their differing personalities still make them clash every now and then.

While raiding a smuggling ring, Judy finds some shed snake skin. This presents a frightening problem, as snakes, among other reptiles, haven't been seen around the big city for about a hundred years, banished due to an incident involving a pit viper named Agnes De'Snake, accused of killing one of Zootopia's founders, a tortoise named Tor-toise Shelldrick. After said incident, reptile-kind was forced out of the big city, beyond the "weather walls" (which divide individual climates) to Reptile Ravine, and were thereafter considered a danger. Judy's claims of finding the snake skin are dismissed, but she's determined once again to prove herself.

Meanwhile, the grandson of Zootopia co-founder Ebenezer Lynxley, Milton (David Strathairn), prepares to host the hundredth anniversary of Zootopia gala, which Judy and Nick infiltrate on Judy's belief that a snake may very well show up there to get their "hands" on the Lynxley journal, which contains information on the weather walls and their creation. Sure enough, a snake named Gary De'Snake (Ke Huy Quan), Agnes' grandson, shows up in search of said journal, but upon facing off against Judy, he claims his reasons for stealing it are just and that his grandmother is innocent of the accusations.

Soon, Judy and Nick find themselves going against the grain, with Judy believing Gary was telling the truth. They become fugitives but remain convinced that the information in the Lynxley journal could reveal hidden truths about what really happened that day, a hundred years ago. This time around, a good chunk of what the film is about enters the political arena, which is usually something I wouldn't be into, but it's well-executed here and simplified for the young ones watching (and yes, some of us older ones, too).

I'm not sure I can say this one hit me quite as well as the first one did, but I have to admit it was still a pleasant surprise in its own way. I can say with all honesty that this was well worth the near-ten-year wait, and both films are solid, but one's preference between them will be based on relatability. For me, the first one has the "underdog" themes I love so much, which is part of its big draw. While this was still incredibly well done, it just didn't speak to me quite as much. I can still fully credit it for being a good story with good messages and not just repeating the same thing.

So, if you liked the first 'Zootopia' as much as I did, I can highly recommend giving it a re-watch right before sitting down to watch this one, especially with the story picking up just a week after the events of the first film; it's a perfect back-to-back. Despite some of my personal tastes, I can still fully admit that Disney nailed it a second time with these movies, and if there's more to come, as long as they keep on going with these more serious themes and messages, I'll keep coming back for more. I feel that these are a couple of the best Disney movies out there.

5/5

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