Zootopia 2: Movie Review

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Andy Samberg, Idris Elba, Ke Huay Quan
Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard

The sequel to the 2016 much-loved mismatched buddy cop comedy Zootopia arrives at a precarious time for Disney animation, which has floundered in the past two years with audiences, unable to largely launch new properties and facing accusations that it's simply mining its own back catalogue for profit.

Those comments will be squarely scotched by Zootopia 2, a family movie that hits all ages and all demographics with incredible ease and which shows that packed with sight gags, action, a well-developed story and a great deal of heart, animation can soar well above anything else out there.

In this latest, enthusiastic Judy Hopps (Goodwin, perky and endearing) has been permanently paired up with the street-smart Nick Wilde (an ever-laconic Jason Bateman) on the Z police force after they saved the city in the first film.

But convinced that every case she takes is going to save the world, Judy irritates both the police force bosses (a reliably gruff Idris Elba, largely abandoned in the back half) and her partner, who's more keen on doing the bare minimum.

However, when Judy finds the shedded skin of a reptile long thought banished from Zootopia, she senses a case that needs to be solved - something which puts both her and Nick in extreme danger.

Any film that can give throwaway sight gags involving The Shining, Hungry hungry hippos, The Godfather, Ratatouille, The Silence of the Lamb as much space as a story involving the replacement of indigenous races and commentary on ICE raids in America deserves to be commended.

But any film that can juggle all that and do it with such chutzpah that leaves you with sore sides from laughter and a heart ache from its central message is a piece of superlative entertainment - which is what Zootopia 2 is.

Sure, there's a message of acceptance and of all species living together (it's Zootopia after all), but there's plenty of good grace and good will felt for these characters to allow that message to pass safely into the audiences. 

Zootopia 2 also works strongly because it's blessed with top-notch animation, a universe that feels lived in and a sequel that showcases other parts of the world not previously seen in the first film. All of which feels distinctly natural and at home within the confines of the story. A swamp-like Bayou world is home to some of the film's more distinctive silliness and plenty of gags as well as some of the film's better action. Plus, with recurring characters and a whole menagerie of new animals, this film never once feels cluttered.

The only brief stutter is a slowing of the film that hits after the breakneck pace has paused - but that is the only lower point of a film that's easily as much a classic as the first one was.

If anything, Zootopia 2 continues to show that sequels can shine without forgetting what made the 2016 film such a hit in the first place - smart writing, a clever and relatable dynamic and a laser-focused eye on pure entertainment. 

A threequel is inevitable, but that's excellent news - because this is a film franchise that has plenty to give and long may it continue.