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By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Disney strikes gold with an animated sequel worth seeing in the theater. “Zootopia 2” is the follow up to their 2016 smash hit and brings back all those favorite, furry characters. Even though the story is quite similar to its predecessor, the execution of the adventure is on point along with the humor that is sure to satisfy people of all ages.
After their success in weeding out corruption in the mayor’s office, Detective Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Detective Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) team up once again to crack another caper that explores why reptiles, especially snakes, are mysteriously absent from Zootopia. When Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) invades a gala hosted by the esteemed Milton Lynxley (David Strathairn) to steal a historic artifact, the city is sent into a tizzy. It’s up to Judy and Nick to put aside their differences, defy Chief Bogo’s (Idris Elba) orders, and unravel a complex conspiracy with the help of some friends like Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) and Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg).
Oscar winners Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who took home the victory in 2022 for Best Animated Feature with “Encanto,” work together again on the sequel to the film that launched their careers. Like the first film, they incorporate a fast-paced adventure through the city of various animals, using well-timed comedy and action sequences to keep the story flowing and the audience entertained. This time, they introduce slightly more mature themes to enhance the sinister plot like gentrification by the more affluent members of this furry society. They also expand on the lore of this unique world, delving into its history that introduces a cohesively satisfying background explaining its foundation. In this way, they more successfully appeal the film to older audiences.
Of course, when it comes to Disney, audiences can expect state-of-the-art animation, and this sequel looks even more polished than the original. Using 3D computer animation integrated with more common 2D principles, the filmmakers are able to capture more realistic animal movements while bringing enhanced quality and brighter visuals. As the story progresses through the various climates of the diverse city, the scenic backdrop is stunning with an enriched level of detail that will keep audiences glued to the screen.
Jared and Byron’s introduction of new characters to this immersive world to interact with the original characters is well thought out and refreshing. It adds a layer of newness to an otherwise similar plot that appeases fans of the first movie while welcoming newcomers with open arms. This also enables them to keep the comedy fresh, avoiding over-repetition of prior jokes that tend to plague sequels. Not to mention, Shakira’s new song “Zoo” is a very catchy tune with Oscar ambitions.
With Disney’s deep pockets, they’re able to secure top tier talent for the vocal cast as well. They bring back all the familiar favorites, including Jason Bateman’s sarcastic wit, Ginnifer Goodwin’s sweetly energetic flair, Idris Elba’s commandingly deep, resonant voice, and even Shakira as the pop star Gazelle. Newcomers like Ke Huy Quan as the kind snake looking for justice, Fortune Feimster as the conspiracy theorist beaver, and Patrick Warburton as the dashing new mayor bring additional flavor that contributes to the memorability of the film.
Having already been nominated for two Golden Globe awards, including Best Motion Picture – Animated as well as closing in on $1 billion worldwide at the box office, this is an undeniable success that Disney sorely needed. “Zootopia 2” is the rare sequel that is better than the first, providing satisfying entertainment for all ages. So, if you’re in the mood for pure fun at the cinema, don’t overlook this quality animation.
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