Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my Movie Review.
Back in 2016, I immaturely covered Zootopia, I know that, while I love this movie, but I wasn’t as professional to learning how its made, what’s the message or many other things, but when I looked back at this movie to learning more, I still enjoy this movie for the world building, the story, the message of social commentary, the animation with the designs and of course, some memorable characters from optimistic dreamer police bunny Judy Hopps or a sly con-artist Nick Wilde. As a result, it became the everyone’s favorite film in 2010s and another film with more than 1 Billion dollars at the box-office. But of course, its no wonder when we love this movie, we like to see a new journey between Judy and Nick in Zootopia Police Department (oh yeah, SPOILER ALERT if you missed it), especially for today’s review.
Zootopia 2 is a 2025 Animated Buddy Cop Comedy movie that was written/directed by current CEO of Disney Animation Studio, Jared Bush, co-directed by Byron Howard, and produced by Yvett Merino.
As I said before, the fans were wishing to see a new journey with Judy and Nick, which is exactly what pre-CEO Byron and Rich Moore had a discussion about making a sequel of Zootopia, which surprisingly approved from Disney CEO Bob Iger to be greenlight, so the project was developed with numerous plans what’s going to be, whereas Gennifer Goodwin (who voiced Judy Hopps) likes to think of the movie is focusing on Nick Wilde to follow the footsteps to impress Judy, while Jason Bateman (who voiced nick Wilde) like see Judy and Nick going full on Super Cop for crime fighting (Kind of over-the-top, but definitely like to giving us something excitement). But before we have a trailer of Zootopia 2, we have an anthology spin-off called “Zootopia+” a short series involving numerous minor characters from the first movie (and some new ones) in their moments in the middle of the first movie, not sure if its worth it, cause I never seen a couple of episodes of this spin-off, but im sure its for the fans of the movie. Maybe they could’ve make an anthology of Zootopia taking place after the first movie, a midquel if you can call that we have the sequel just came out, as im writing this. But the craziest thing is that recently (again, as im writing this) this movie have a greater start that it became the Number 1 highest-grossing animated film in opening weekend to beat Ne Zha 2 (Sounds like Disney is looking for revenge after Inside Out 2 was dropped the spot less than a year) and currently placed in 4th of highest-grossing opening weekend overall.
So, with all that said, will this movie gives us another message against prejudice, or is this film might put the sign that says “Its not for foreigners!” in a same way like reptiles?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
for a new journey with Judy and Nick, we expecting the story to be even more thought provoking plot to solving the criminal case, right? Well, of course for good reason.
The movie begins a week after the first movie (when Judy and Nick caught Bellwether based on her spreading conspiracy in support of Prey Nationalism, along with Nick being hired as a police officer partner to Judy. My apology for SPOILER for those who haven’t seen the first one, recommend to check it, its great), Judy and Nick were secretly going out undercover to arresting Antony Sootley, but ended up getting scolded for chaos that they ended up being put into Partnership therapy. However at the same time, Judy noticed a shed coil in the van, so despite they gotta learn how to be in proper partnership, they went out, undercover again, to the Zootenial Gala for the celebration of Zootopia’s 100th Anniversary. But the party is crashed when a Snake entered the scene in panic, causing Judy and Nick going after the snake, which unfortunately, resulting both Judy Nick and the snake being framed for false fugitives. Its up to Judy and Nick went to cracking the case by themselves to chase after the snake, along with learning about Zootopia’s dark secret, and trying to clear their names from what happened.
At first glance, we started out with a bang to both brief flashback to the action in the first act, while il give the appreciation to have a fun start, but its just that its rather rushed, but in fairness, we may have a development from the first act where they’ve been, but still, botchy start from the pacing issue. But another problem of this movie is the use of false fugitive that both Judy and Nick are both framed, which I find those false fugitive subplot is just too obviously cliché, which I find the execution of subplot ruined it for the most part. But despite the flaws, the story gets bigger and better after the first act to learning where Judy and Nick gotta learn whatever happened why everyone are feared about the snake on the loose and the lack of reptiles. Like the first one, this movie pretty good for more world building and of course, the message in social commentary. Whereas the first one movie about prejudice against predators, here its about the combination of systemic racism against reptiles and oligarchy for the corruption at the police to be above the law to keep public in peace and quiet in the name of fame and wealth. I find the social commentary message of this movie is pretty good for a new thought-provoking story how its not only pretty good what we’ve learned, but also related how in USA where corrupted president have the BALLS to using ICE to screwing over foreigners in the name of his ego and nationalism, pretty unfair how people calling the W word in the name of Cancel Culture (Yeah, I have to censor the W word, cause its a movement of Cancel Culture, and of course, we don’t want to talk about politics in reviews, but what do you expect Zootopia gives us social commentary, eh?). Another plot part that I also like, is the heart, mainly the chemistry between Judy and Nick when they’re working together to Zootopia Police Dpartment (ZPD for short) ever since they first met back in the first movie, which at first, it sounds like it will be perfect together to keep Zootopia in peace, but like always, not everything’s gonna be perfect, its mainly that its not easy how different they are to working together, either their personality or guessing about the evidence, adding a drama between of two for their challenging partnership for the name of justice and law. But of course, the movie is no stranger to add some humors, which I gotta say, its actually pretty good for chuckle worthy from the visual joke or even the dialogue.
While its nowhere from obvious cliché and bumpy start, but at least they did a good job for the story, the world building with something mystery, the message about difficulty partnership for being different and a thought-provoking social commentary.
The Animation
Surprisingly, the movie costs the same budget as the first one, particularly, costs $150M. Aside the same budget price, the movie looks pretty good as before with some upgrade.
For starter the background design and the world building of Zootopia looks pretty good, colorful and also well fitting based on animal types, such as a snowy town called “Tundratown”, a hot desert town called “Sahara Square”, a moist water forest called “Rainforest District” (though only shown the first movie), a colorful downtown called “Savanna Central” and couple others out there if you’re curious to see more if you watch the first Zootopia or Zootopia+, they’re creative, fitting and well designed. Of course they gave us some new locations what they brought us, such as “Marsh Market” which is a segregated town for both aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, kind of like a mix between Venice, Italy and some southern towns in USA. Its quite of fascinating new location what they gave us that its for sea lions, walruses and several others there. But none can compare to an outsiders pub called “Reptile Hangout”, which is basically a pub for reptiles that its the only place they live due to secrecy with racial reasons, the place is dark, somewhat colorful and reclusive that, again, its the only place they’ve ever got. There’s also a “Honeymoon Lounge”, which it used to be a lounge from the trip, but once it was abandoned, it because a plot development what Judy and Nick found out and the action scenes with destroying the old lounge.
As for the designs, while the background are both beautiful, colorful, nicely fit and creative, the character designs are staying relevant from the first movie and they’re looking good as always, they look cute, it has personalities and of course, staying true how the animals not only how they look (in anthropomorphic way), but also the realistic size, let along how they move from various scenarios and some humors. Especially some character designs have a nice upgrade to double down from the first one, and they definitely good a nice work for their upgrade textures and the quality. Especially with the animation movements, again, in anthropomorphic way, let along with showing their personalities how they’re depicted, especially some unique like the snake Gary (cause you know… He’s a snake, eh?).
But of course, its worth of mention the action scenes, like before it gets pretty cool and intense after it got perilous. Its more commonly on police chase, ranging from the car chase in the first act when Judy and Nick went undercover (much to dismay to Chief Bogo), a creative moment with the use of environment like the chase in Marsh Market while our duo being falsely fugitive, trying to catching up the snake from both the Zootenial Gala and the market, and the aforementioned Honeymoon Lounge when Judy and Nick are, again, trying to catching the snake without getting caught from the cops.
As always, much like the first movie, the animation looks great for the creativity, colorful, well designed, well fitting and fun actions, but for the sequel, not only it looks great as always, but two times better with upgrade from the textures and quality, along with something new for the world building, the new designs and the creative actions.
The Characters
Despite a huge amount of list of characters, the characters in this movie are a welcome return (for the most part), while the new ones are pretty good too. But the downside is that, despite of HUGE amount of characters, 75% of them have a small appearances and/or developments, or perhaps its to hyping up the voice acting of high profile appearances for the sake of high profile appearances, especially some of them are veterans. But don’t get me wrong, a lot of them did a good job, but again… Jesus, if its too much, its TOO MUCH…!
Enough with my small rant, lets start off return of our main heroes, starting with Judy Hopps (reprised by Ginnifer Goodwin) an optimistic rabbit from Bunnyborrow whom, back then, been a dreamer for not just justice, but also keep Zootopia peace without the chaos, but overwhelming in her way. Here in this sequel, thanks to Nick Wilde being hired in ZPD, she’s no stranger to be in a buddy cop journey with Nick in their way, despite the troublesome start, she cares so much of finding evidence to learning a dark truth, again, much to dismay to Chief Bogo and couple other officers, but again, she’s overwhelmed from her determination. I still find her cute for her welcoming return, though her personality is the same, but again, its due to chemistry with Nick based on their different personalities or which way and other. Let along Ginnifer did a pretty good work of her optimistic bunny role.
And we have nick Wilde (reprised by Jason Bateman), a sly fox who used to be a con-artist for selling pawpsicles to make a quick money after bought ice scream shop with Finnick (voiced by the late Tom Lister Jr. via archive, since he unfortunately passed away in late 2020). Here, thanks to becoming the first fox cop in ZPD, this is the opportunity for not just get paid, but also working with Judy just like when they first met, regaining respect and be happy to be in the best in the business than con-artist, despite he’s still being a sly wit as a copping mechanism. But of course it wasn’t because of his dream to work with Judy, but just that he’s also difficult to express his true feelings to her due to his value of his journey as the first fox police officer with Judy. This is no stranger the movie gives us a subplot for a complex chemistry between him and Judy to show, while its nice to working together in ZPD, but its a tough task between of two how it works without the risk of separation, cause partnership if their key without losing themselves for personal reasons. But of course, Jason did a fun work of his role of sly fox with humor deliveries.
Then we ourselves to the new characters, such as Gary De’Snake (voiced by surprising Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan), the pit viper who’s on the run to search of the secret not just what happened to the lost town based on Zootopia’s dark secret, but also learning whatever happened to his beloved family. It may sounds like a humor role to playing a daring game to catch him in pursuit, but he’s actually a sympathetic figure that he’s on the search from the past covered from the dark, especially, along with Judy and Nick, being falsely fugitive. Though when I saw him in trailer, I assuming he’s the villain, but not really, cause I find him to be a pretty nice character, despite he’s more like in 50% appearance, which is something that I like to see him more, especially Ke Huy did a great work of his role, even since he came out retirement to give us his biggest redemption career. Welcome back to Hollywood, Quan.
Next, we have Nibbles Maplestick (voiced by Fortune Feimster) a beaver who, at first, being another comedic relief based on her podcast personality with conspiracy theories, but once she meets Judy and Nick, she’ll eventually jumping in if her theories are confirmed. I find her to be fairly decent sidekick that she gives us some plot details when she and our main duo dug deep in the rabbit hole (no pun intended) the more truth we found out as Nibbles curious to see the confirmed truth (Yeah, makes a lot more sense than some foil hat wearing idiots out there). Though I never heard of her, but she did a good work of her role, especially with her chuckle worthy moments.
And we have Pawbert Lynxley (voiced by Andy Samberg, aka Ben Reilly in Sony’s Spider-Verse, aka Dale in Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers movie and aka Brent in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball), a young and awkward Lynx who’s on the chase with Gary, despite he has a connection the notorious oligarchy family Lynxley, run by his father Milton (voiced by David Strathairn). At first, we’re assuming he wants to running away from his menacing family that he wants to helping out Gary in his sympathy to finding out whatever happened to the reptiles in Zootopia from the dark past for how or why its covered (I won’t put further details to prevent SPOILERS). I find Pawbert (aside the questionable name), I find him to be fairly decent too that he’s also on the run with Gary based on his curiosity, but again, despite of his family that they put their names in the big image from old journey that it was written by the old founder of Zootopia under Lynxley many years ago. But as for the Lynxley family, I find them to be fine villains, they’re more like pretty protective to Zootopia for their own vision in their oligarchy way or they’ll outright corrupt the police to save their names. I mean at least we have the introduction of the villains in the second act instead of plot twist villains like Dawn Bellwether in the first Zootopia (And oh yeah, she’s back in the movie, but for silly cameo for… Reasons.). And im very surprised for Andy did a good work of his role to do a mix of humor and drama, that’s nice for his role.
As for the rest, they aren’t much else to say, other than giving us some plot details for the either searching the pursuit of both Gary and Pawbert, despite the downside of minimal appearance and butt load of familiar voices.
There’s Chief Bogo (reprised by Idris Elba, aka Knuckles from Sonic movies), the chief of ZPD in his no-nonsense mood for his order, much to frustration to Judy and Nick went on their own without telling, Gazelle (reprised by Shakira) is the famous pop star with our new song “Zoo”, along with being support to the equal rights in peace, although she does get to show her fun moment, Benjamin Clawhauser (reprised by Nate Torrence) is a donut eating receptionist in ZPD, Mayor Brian Winddancer (voiced by the Chad actor Patrick Warburton), who’s an actor turned mayor of Zootopia (huh, kind of like Arnold Schwarzenegger that he went from bodybuilder, actor to then Governor of California), which at least I find him enjoyable, despite of minimal appearance, Jesus (Danny Trejo) is a plumed basilisk in the reclusive pub, Mr. Big (reprised by Maurice LeMarche), the crime boss beneath the Tundratown in miniature reference of Vito Corleone with his daughter Fru Fru (reprised by Leah Latham), Flash Slothmore (reprised by Raymond S. Persi) who’s Nick’s best bud from DMV to secretly a street racer, along with funniest delivery with slow talk as a three-toed sloth, and Antony Sootley (voiced by John Leguizami, aka Sid from Ice Age) who’s smuggler while secretly working a the cargo.
Like I said before, its quite surprise to having more voice actors in the movie, especially some of them are veterans or even special ones, lets see in the list we have (though in my example pick that I know);
Cattrick Lynxley (voiced by Macaulay Culkin, aka Kevin freakin’ McCallister from Home Alone), one of Lynxley family, Gene Zebraxton and Gene Zebrowski, aka Zebros (voiced by WWE Superstars Roman Reigns and CM Punk), Higgins the hippo (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz, aka Vaggie from Hazbin Hotel, and aka Mirabel Madrigal from Encanto) one of duo hippos in ZPD, Ed Shearin (voiced by English songwriter and vocalist Ed Sheeran), who’s one of sheep in downtown (I think), Michael J (voiced by Marty McFly, and sadly struggle from Parkinson, Michael J. Fox) who’s one of prisoners (which I though its Gideon Grey, you know the red fox who used to bully Judy, but I was wrong), Paul Moldebrandt (voiced by Josh Gad, aka Olaf from Frozen, and even voiced by Hideo Kojima in Japanese version. Yes, Metal Gear and Death Stranding creator is also doing voice acting, for brief moment of course), Robert Furwin (voiced by Robert Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin, who surprisingly takes a footstep from his beloved father) who’s a koala, and Zeke (voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) who’s an accident-prone dik-dik).
And lastly, even some crews behind the movie also providing voice cameos like Bucky and Pronk (voiced by directors Byron Howard and current Chief Creative Officer of Disney, Jared Bush) and lastly, there’s Bob Tiger the tiger weather forecaster, is voiced by none other than Bob Iger, yeah, even the current president of Disney like to be involved of voice cameo. I cannot believe that I’ve just learned…!
While its a shame that most of new and old recurring characters are minimal due to the focus of Judy, Nick and maybe Pawbert and Gary, but at least the characters are pretty good for giving us some plot details and fun voice acting, despite of again, listing a HUGE roles, eh?
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Zootopia 2 is easily a sequel worthy that Disney gave after the first movie. Easily an “Absolute Cinema” film to watch.
It has a great story with oligarchy and systemic racism message, the animation looks both beautiful, colorful and creative as always, it has fun jokes, fascinating and intense action scenes, the voice acting are great too, and some characters are pretty good, despite of huge cast.
Though its not as 100% perfect with flaws like the quick pace in the first act, obvious cliché for false fugitives, and the minimal of onscreen return of old and some new ones, which I understand the movie is focusing on Judy and Nick, but still, give some old and new ones a chance to shine.
Even with the flaws, I enjoyed this movie to see more depth in Zootopia and even some new characters, let along with social commentary what we’ve been dealing with, to this day. This is easily a “Must-Watch” film if you’re a fan of Zootopia or a curious movie goers (And furries) with all the fun and message what we’ve learned. So, if you wanna see this movie, get your friends and family (or furries, if you’re one of them) together to see it. Cause Zootopia 2 is worth the wait to see and it also becomes my new favorite next to Superman 2025.
For my rating, im gonna give this one a 9/10, along with earning the Trophy of Success
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, im Anthony, signing out.
