Disney's Zootopia sequel, released in 2025, does not quite live up to the original's groundbreaking status, but that doesn't mean it's a bad movie. Instead, it's more of a conventional animated adventure with chases and animal puns taking center stage over nuanced storytelling.
The film picks up where the first left off, with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, now official partners at the Zootopia Police Department, facing their own prejudices and fears as they tackle a new case involving a sweet pit viper, a nasty family of billionaire lynxes, and a lost part of the city. While it's clear that Disney is trying to capture some of the original film's magic, the sequel relies too heavily on formulaic chases and animal puns.
The animation, while still colorful and visually appealing, feels more generic than in the original, with less emphasis on transporting the viewer to a richly detailed world. The addition of new locations, such as a parody of Burning Man called "Burning Mammal" and a massive snowy hedge maze inspired by The Shining, are diverting but lack the same level of immersion as the original Rainforest District.
Despite this, the sequel has its moments, particularly in its exploration of gentrification, fear of the other, and the cold calculations of the obscenely rich. These themes may not have the same emotional heft as the original, but they're still timely and important.
It's clear that Disney is committed to continuing the Zootopia franchise with a new film, as well as additional media, including a TV show and video games. While this might be predictable for fans of the series, it's hard not to feel excited about seeing Judy, Nick, and their friends go on more adventures that teach kids acceptance, love, and other valuable lessons.
Ultimately, Zootopia 2 is an enjoyable but unremarkable film that fails to live up to its predecessor's standards. Still, with a talented voice cast and a script that genuinely loves the characters, it's not a complete disappointment either. With time, this sequel might develop a following of its own, even if it doesn't quite reach the same heights as the original.
The film picks up where the first left off, with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, now official partners at the Zootopia Police Department, facing their own prejudices and fears as they tackle a new case involving a sweet pit viper, a nasty family of billionaire lynxes, and a lost part of the city. While it's clear that Disney is trying to capture some of the original film's magic, the sequel relies too heavily on formulaic chases and animal puns.
The animation, while still colorful and visually appealing, feels more generic than in the original, with less emphasis on transporting the viewer to a richly detailed world. The addition of new locations, such as a parody of Burning Man called "Burning Mammal" and a massive snowy hedge maze inspired by The Shining, are diverting but lack the same level of immersion as the original Rainforest District.
Despite this, the sequel has its moments, particularly in its exploration of gentrification, fear of the other, and the cold calculations of the obscenely rich. These themes may not have the same emotional heft as the original, but they're still timely and important.
It's clear that Disney is committed to continuing the Zootopia franchise with a new film, as well as additional media, including a TV show and video games. While this might be predictable for fans of the series, it's hard not to feel excited about seeing Judy, Nick, and their friends go on more adventures that teach kids acceptance, love, and other valuable lessons.
Ultimately, Zootopia 2 is an enjoyable but unremarkable film that fails to live up to its predecessor's standards. Still, with a talented voice cast and a script that genuinely loves the characters, it's not a complete disappointment either. With time, this sequel might develop a following of its own, even if it doesn't quite reach the same heights as the original.