Nine years after the original charmed audiences worldwide, Zootopia 2 returns to the sprawling mammal metropolis, proving the franchise still has sharp teeth beneath its fuzzy exterior. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard deliver a sequel that starts in low gear but quickly finds its stride, evolving into an all-paws, no-pause adventure.
The film reunites the now-legendary duo: the irrepressibly enthusiastic bunny cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and her sly, reformed-fox partner Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). Their dynamic remains the film’s beating heart, their banter and genuine affection providing a steady anchor amidst the chaos. This time, their police work leads them into the city’s buried past. When a series of strange disturbances point to the long-banished reptile community, the pair must investigate the mysterious plans of Gary (a wonderfully enigmatic Ke Huy Quan), a snake with a cryptic agenda. They’re ably assisted by the scene-stealing Nibbles Maplestick (a hilarious Fortune Feimster), a tenacious weasel with her own chaotic sense of justice.
The investigation becomes a whirlwind tour of Zootopia’s breathtakingly inventive biomes. The chase propels us from the frosty tundras of Tundratown to the arid sands of Sahara Square, through buried ruins and labyrinthine water tubes. The visual spectacle is a marvel, particularly in sequences like the gone-to-seed Marsh Market, where a sea lion effortlessly transforms into a ferry. We visit a honeymoon cottage of romantic, storybook beauty and experience the vibrant energy of the Burning Mammal festival, a gala where every creature truly puts their best hoof forward. The world-building remains Disney animation at its most creatively ambitious.
True to its predecessor, the film wears its themes on its sleeve. The “lessons” about embracing difference, confronting historical prejudice, and challenging systemic bias are perhaps more overt than ever. Yet, for a film squarely aimed at children—and at a time when adults could sorely use the reminder—this clarity is more virtue than flaw. Zootopia 2 finds clever, imaginative ways to underline its message, using the tension between mammals and reptiles as a potent allegory that never feels like a mere lecture. It champions empathy and friendship without shying away from the complexity of building trust.
If the film falters, it’s in a slightly overlong first act that takes its time reeling in the central mystery. The tail, perhaps, is a bit long. But once the plot achieves galloping speed, the film is utterly absorbing. From scheming snakes and industrious beavers to horses with ludicrously splendid hair and lizards in sombreros, the city feels vibrantly, chaotically alive.
In the end, Zootopia 2 successfully recaptures the magic. It’s a worthy sequel that balances riotous fun with genuine heart and a timely message. It proves that this world is far from exhausted—it has plenty of bark, but more importantly, it still has bite.
Zootopia 2
Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard
Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, with new additions including .
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
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