In an era of floundering Disney remakes and sequels such as the live-action “Snow White” and “Moana 2,” “Zootopia 2” is an imaginative return to the quick-witted, touching Disney of my childhood. The sequel to the beloved 2016 animated film seamlessly integrates sociopolitical themes into a heartwarming movie geared towards children. The film also dares to ask: What would the child of a fox and bunny look like?
“Zootopia 2” is full of genuinely gripping plot twists and features a stacked cast of Hollywood’s most recognizable voices. Judy Hopps and fox con artist Nick Wilde pick up their adventures — now official members of the Zootopia Police Department — by tackling a mystery involving snakes. In the process, they navigate what it means to be partners — in both their professional and personal lives — with a never-ending stream of witty banter. The movie is as entertaining for adults as for children, facetious and a bit self-aware.
Like the original, “Zootopia 2” is an allegory for xenophobia and discrimination. As the first bunny in the Zootopia Police Department, Judy seeks to prove herself and set an example for other underrepresented animals. Similarly, Nick is consistently underestimated and misjudged as a stereotypically “sly” fox. As he says in the first film, “If the world’s only gonna see a fox as shifty and untrustworthy, there’s no point in trying to be anything else.” “Zootopia 2” tracks Nick’s evolving relationship with how others perceive him, self-definition and the point of fighting seemingly losing battles.
These themes of xenophobia, stereotypes and identity are magnified in “Zootopia 2,” whose central plot surrounds the mistreatment of reptiles. The city of Zootopia has been mammals-only for decades, with propaganda consistently circulated about the fundamental evil of snakes. However, Nick and Judy’s investigation into suspected snake criminality leads to very different findings. Aided by beaver conspiracy theorist Nibbles Maplestick — Zootopia’s news outlets seem to be right-leaning — the duo piece together the truth of their city’s founding and reptile subjugation. The film becomes a wild case to expose discriminatory misdeeds by lynx real estate brokers, politicians and the city’s elite.
The film is thus undeniably an allegory for redlining and colonialism, and grounded in the dynamic between the earnest Judy and apathetic Nick. The former seeks justice above all else, while the latter is disillusioned with the status quo and has little interest in reform. Their competing perspectives infuse the children’s movie with an accessible conversation about the seeming futility of resistance.
In a climactic confrontation, Judy tells Nick, “The world will never be better than it is if someone isn’t willing to take a risk!” Nick responds, “Sometimes being a hero just doesn’t make a difference. The world is what it is.” This exchange cuts to the core of “Zootopia 2.” Besides its stance on social equality, the film is about finding hope when difficult and the impact two people can have on the world around them.
“Zootopia 2” is undeniably modern, using advanced CGI in the 3D animation. In its recent ventures, Disney has followed in Pixar’s footsteps and transitioned away from cel hand-drawn and traditional 2-D animation in favor of smooth and generic styles. The result has been a noticeable lack of whimsy and nostalgia — compare “Frozen” with its 2019 sequel, for instance. While the former used 3D animation, it retained softer principles of traditional cel animation that the latter did not. Ultimately, the result was a higher-rated film. “Zootopia 2,” on the other hand, seamlessly blends old Disney traditions with new software and animation capabilities.
It seems like Disney knows they succeeded — at one point, a movie vendor selling classics like “Wrangled” and “Floatzen” asks, “Who says the industry’s going down the tubes?” “Zootopia 2” is, all in all, a pitch-perfect animated children’s movie.
