Zootopia 2 | Reelviews Movie Reviews

Zootopia 2 takes viewers back to the animated city
where all species of animals (mostly) live in peaceful harmony and where
mismatched buddies like the high-energy bunny cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin)
and her ex-con red fox partner, Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), can form close
bonds. Nine years have passed in our world since Disney released Zootopia
to acclaim and box-office success, but only a week has passed in the animated
world. So, when it comes time to rejoin the misadventures of this pair, they’re
still in the early stages of navigating their newfound partnership. They also
haven’t yet earned the trust of the humorless Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), who
assigns them to watch and learn—activities that run contrary to Judy’s tireless
can-do attitude and her eagerness to prove herself.

Like many Disney animated adventures, Zootopia stood
well enough on its own but offered numerous avenues for expansion. The studio’s
decision to resurrect the title was based primarily on brand recognition and
the expectation that a familiar name would generate solid box-office returns.
To their credit, the filmmakers didn’t rely solely on that goodwill. Instead,
they took the time and energy to develop a palatable narrative and craft
something that should satisfy fans of the original movie while not presenting a
high bar of entry for any newcomers for whom this marks a first visit to
Zootopia. The result is a sequel that feels more like a natural continuation
than a shameless cash grab, even if the motivations behind its existence are
largely financial.

As is the case with most box-office-driven movies, this one
follows a successful and recognizable formula. To that extent, Zootopia 2
focuses primarily on the friendly (but sometimes acerbic) relationship between
Judy and Nick, the core dynamic that underpinned the first film. It places them
on a new case with significant Zootopia-wide implications and introduces a
handful of new characters who help broaden the movie’s thematic and comedic
range. These include the serpentine pit viper Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), the
first snake to visit the city in 100 years; the overly talkative and socially
awkward Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg), the youngest son of the influential
Lynxley clan; and Milton Lynxley (David Strathairn), Pawbert’s authoritarian
father and the story’s primary antagonist. Many familiar faces return as well,
albeit often in small roles. Shakira once again lends her voice to Gazelle, the
superstar singer who contributes a couple of musical numbers. The film also
sports a surprisingly large roster of celebrity cameos, including Danny Trejo,
Stephanie Beatriz, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, John Leguizamo, Jean Reno, Bob
Iger, Ed Sheeran, June Squibb, Michael J. Fox, Josh Gad, Anika Noni Rose, and
Dwayne Johnson, most of whom pop in for quick gags or background appearances.

The film’s message is characteristically family-friendly,
dealing with themes of inclusion (as was the case in the original Zootopia)
and the importance of family, loyalty, and love. None of this is presented in a
fashion that’s overly preachy, so the ideas can be absorbed organically through
the story and character interactions. The narrative isn’t masterpiece quality,
but it’s sturdy enough to keep kids engaged without functioning as a sleep
tonic for adults. Zootopia 2 also deepens the bond between Judy and
Nick, developing a warm platonic love that remains surprisingly rare in
animated films—perhaps in part because Disney seems wary of how audiences might
react to a full-fledged romance between a bunny and a fox. As one would
reasonably expect from a Disney production, the animation is of the highest
quality, although there’s one snake-related sequence where the imagery looks a
little too obviously CGI (a brief but noticeable hiccup).

The film’s comedy consists mostly of physical jokes and
occasional low-brow humor that will play well with younger viewers. A few of
the more off-color remarks help justify the film’s PG rating rather than a G
from the MPA. Mayor Brian Winddancer’s (Patrick Warburton) preening antics are
clearly designed to entertain adults, as are many of Nick’s sly asides. The
filmmakers understand the importance of throwing the occasional bone to
grown-ups to keep them invested during the more kid-oriented stretches.

Ultimately, Zootopia 2 delivers exactly what one
could reasonably expect it to provide. It neither overshoots nor undershoots
the mark. It’s an enjoyable diversion, working better as a family film than as
something with the depth or complexity suitable for adult-primary
entertainment. It’s a seamless continuation of the stories and relationships
introduced in Zootopia, moving things forward without making any radical
changes to the underlying formula—and that consistency may be exactly what
audiences want from a return trip to this animated menagerie.

Zootopia 2 (United States, 2025)