I remember going to see “Zootopia” in theaters when I was 10 years old. Released in March 2016, the city of anthropomorphic animals seemed like the dream place to live from my seat at my local AMC. Set to the soundtrack of Shakira’s “Try Everything,” I left that theater ready to give the movie nothing short of an Oscar.
While most of that childhood whimsy has worn off nearly a decade later, a rewatch of “Zootopia” has never failed to leave me in a good mood and bring back some of that nostalgia.
All that goes to say that “Zootopia 2” had big shoes to fill when it came to carrying on the story of its predecessor. So, I was pleasantly surprised to watch the sequel and find that not only did it live up to the many expectations I had set for it, but in most cases, it exceeded them, too.
“Zootopia 2” picks up shortly where the first film left off, following Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick (Jason Bateman) as they make history as the first bunny and fox partnership in the Zootopia Police Department. But it isn’t smooth sailing for the pair as they try to prove they make a good team while uncovering a conspiracy that has kept snakes out of Zootopia for a century.
Similar to the first film, where “Zootopia 2” succeeds the most is in its characters. Of course, Nick and Judy never fail to entertain audiences with their witty banter, sarcastic comments and determination to make the city a more welcoming place for all animals. However, at least for me, it’s the secondary characters that steal the show.
Not only do fan favorites from “Zootopia,” such as Officer Clawhauser (Nate Torrence), Gazelle (Shakira) and Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche), make an appearance in the film, but this sequel also introduces a cast of new characters that are all just as funny and endearing.
A personal favorite of mine when it comes to these new additions is Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), a pit viper determined to restore his family's reputation and reintegrate reptiles back into Zootopia society.
As far as snakes go, Gary may be one of the sweetest, most adorable snakes I have ever seen. His character is so motivated to reveal the truth behind the Lynxley Journal, a notebook that details the creation of the Weather Walls that keep Zootopia running, all so he can bring his family home. He is also incredibly awkward and excited about everything, which makes him all the more fun to watch.
Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg), the disgraced son of the Lynxley family, and Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), a podcasting beaver with an affinity for reptiles, also stand out in this sequel’s cast of new characters. While Nick and Judy are obviously the stars of this film, it’s characters like Pawbert with his seemingly awkward nature and Nibbles with her overly enthusiastic ability to break the ice that help bring out the best in our main characters.
The artistry of “Zootopia” is also worth mentioning when it comes to this second movie.
While the animation itself isn’t anything extraordinary, the creativity in how they work elements from our world into the animal one makes the visuals stand out. The ferries in Marsh Market and how they’re entirely run by manatees, a speakeasy for reptiles and the concept of “Burning Mammal” instead of “Burning Man” all make up some of the funniest details in this film.
Like other Disney movies, “Zootopia 2” was not light with the Easter eggs. My absolute favorite came when Nick and Judy chased a suspect through a kitchen, blowing off a chef’s hat and exposing a rat underneath pulling the strings in “Ratatouille” fashion. I loved pointing out these small things to my friends and hearing the laughs in the audience every time an especially obvious and absurd one happened on screen.
Despite my love for the film, this time I’m not going to once again trick myself into thinking it’s an Oscar-worthy masterpiece. However, “Zootopia 2” did what I have felt many recent Disney films have lacked. It created a world that has all the comforting nostalgia of the 2016 movie while also introducing new elements that make the story fun to watch.
So, even if you aren’t as big of a “Zootopia” fan as I have begun to accept that I am, “Zootopia 2” is more than worth the watch. And if that doesn’t convince you, hopefully the promise of another great song by Shakira will.
