Well, everyone, today, we review a sequel to a surprise hit, from Walt Disney Animation Studios, that was not only released back in 2016, but also won awards such as an Oscar, and, if I’m not mistaken, a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature. Since then, there has been a short TV series that aired back in 2022, and now, this sequel, that was released just back around Thanksgiving of this year. Now, was it worth the wait nine years after the first film, or should Disney just stuck only with having the first Zootopia? Let’s find out! Oh, and before we get on with the review, let me just say welcome to this new monthly segment of me reviewing either a an animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, or one from Disney/Pixar. Yes, I plan to review the ones that I reviewed just on Facebook, since my additional blog viewers for this site didn’t get a chance to hear my thoughts on those. Also know that for those of you who followed me on Facebook, and saw those reviews in the Disney Canon a long time ago, just know that though my attitude towards some of them may still stay the same, it may also change towards others in the canon as well. And please, don’t be surprised if, or when that may happen over the course of me doing this hopefully for the next few years. Also, I may take a break in January by doing something still related to the world of Disney, but not necessarily part of either the Walt Disney Animation Studios Canon, or the Disney/Pixar one. Anyway, without further ado, let’s discuss Zootopia 2. Oh, and yes, a revisit for the first Zootopia is planned for this year, in 2026. Anyway, let me begin now.
Plot: One week after the events of the first film, now officers Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), and Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) attempt to crack a case that involves a blue pit viper named Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), who steals a book from crime boss Milton Lynxley (David Strathairn) in order to hopefully prove who the real founder of Zootopia was. With the help of Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg), Will Nick, and Judy be able to catch up to Gary, prove Gary’s innocence, and be able to have him, along with the rest of the reptile community, welcomed back into Zootopia?
Well, as I’m sure many of you know, especially for those of you that keep up with movie news even somewhat, Zootopia has been making bank. It’s made over $1.4 billion worldwide. Some have claimed that Disney is back on the right track again. Some have even said that Zootopia 2 is better than the original Zootopia movie. And yeah, I’m sure that other positive things have been said that I’m not mentioning right now.
With all that said, was it worth the wait nine years after the original film was released? Is this sequel in fact better than the first film? Well, let me put it to you all this way! It is great that we had some of the same filmmakers back from the first film, especially director Byron Howard, and Jared Bush (who was screenplay writer for the first film, but now is director, alongside Howard, and replaced Rich Moore this time around for some reason). Why!?! Well, based on what I, and I’m sure many other movie buffs have observed, sequels that have some of the same filmmakers that made a previous installment of any movie franchise, those are the ones that are oftentimes almost as good, if not better, than a previous installment. Granted, there are rare exceptions, like 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns, or even 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King. But that might be because of the former film coming out over fifty years after that original film, Mary Poppins, or the latter thirty years after the original Lion King film. Well, what do I know? Anyway, back on track!
All to say, Zootopia is one of the better Disney sequels to be released in recent years, especially compared to other ones that were released by Walt Disney Animation Studios, like 2019’s Frozen 2, or 2024’s Moana 2. I mean regardless of whether you liked, or disliked either of those sequels, many people will probably agree that Zootopia is better than either of those two combined. The reason why is because, well, even though Frozen 2, and Moana 2 did alright with expanding on the world building, and trying to develop the characters better, and such, you can tell that there was something lacking in either of those sequels that their respective previous predecessors had. Well, even if that is sort of the case for Zootopia 2 (more on that in a bit), you can tell that filmmakers were trying to put as much effort into it as possible. Well, not to mention that Zootopia 2 didn’t originally start off as a scrapped TV series for Disney+, like Moana 2. And, again, the fact that the filmmakers were willing to wait around nine, or ten years after it’s predecessor to make a sequel, that shows how much time the filmmakers were willing to make to make this sequel.
In addition to all of this, there is one major highlight that makes this one of the better sequels. That is that they expand on the world building of Zootopia. I mean just when we thought that we knew quite a bit about this fictional world with these particular anthropomorphic animals, we’re thrown in for a surprise. The reason being is because we get to learn about additional areas of Zootopia not mentioned, or explored in the first film. I mean we get to know about at least the reptile world, and what happened to them. And what’s even more is that we get to learn more information about Zootopia in terms of, well, quite a few things that maybe some people that saw the first movie might have been curious to know about some of the Zootopia world before.
An additional major highlight for Zootopia 2 is that there are so many hilarious moments scattered throughout the course of this movie. That is one aspect of this sequel that might have made it better than the first movie. Oh yes, there were quite a few comedic moments, and hilarious jokes in the first movie too. It’s just that Zootopia went over, and beyond, in that regard. Oh, and did I forget to mention that there are quite a few Easter eggs to go along with some of those jokes? Granted, it’s mostly adults, maybe even teens as well, that will understand some of those jokes. Still, they’ll surprisingly work really well.
Next, we have most of the characters back from the first movie. Nick, and Judy are back as the main characters, along with supporting ones like Chief Bogo, and Mr. Big. We also have newer characters like Gary De’Snake, who’s voiced by Ke Huy Quan, Pawbert Lynxley, voiced by Andy Samberg, and, probably one of the major highlights, and maybe helps bring out some of the more comedic moments in this film, Mayor Winddancer, who is voiced by the awesome Patrick Warburton. How could you go wrong with Patrick Warburton especially? Seeing him come back to Disney for the first time in twenty-five years since he first voiced the villain sidekick, Kronk, in the 2000 Disney animated comedy, The Emperor’s New Groove, and that being memorable, he didn’t disappoint even this time around. And yeah, having a snake be a good character in a movie for the first time in, well, quite a while, that was a welcome change as well. The rest of the voice cast, old, and new ones, was overall really great as well. One other thing to mention about the characters is how could we not appreciate that for once in a long while, a snake is portrayed as good for the first time in a while. And the way that Gary was handled, and developed, let’s just say that it was really with what the filmmakers did to make this character.
The animation is also really top notch. It would seem that it’s great as the animation as that of the first film, if not slightly better.
Another thing that should be mentioned about Zootopia 2 is the score by Michael Giacchino. Though it may not carry as much of an emotional impact as the first film did, it still helps keep this movie sequel engaging from beginning to end. Now, about Shakira/Gazelle’s new song, “Zoo”, that was a very fun, and catchy song. Still, again, “Try Everything” was probably more memorable, and will probably leave more of an impact on audiences.
One other thing is the storyline for Zootopia 2. Well, like the characters, and almost everything else, the story is well done, well developed, and helps enhance the Zootopia world really well. There are also some really interesting twists that feel a little stronger than those of the first film. Also, when it comes to solving cases like is usual in the police world, it is done really well in this film. And, like with the first film, people will be impressed with all the creativity involved like with the creativity of the first movie.
Finally, which was better? Was it the first original Zootopia, or the second one? Well, aside from this film being a little funnier, certain twists working a little better in the second one, and the world building being expanded upon, definitely the first one. For one, the first Zootopia movie left more of an emotional impact on audiences. In addition to that, the score was more memorable, and “Try Everything” was more of an Oscar contender for Best Original Song (even if the song got snubbed of such a nomination), and the characters might have been a little better developed. Again, yes, Zootopia 2 was more hilarious, and the world building was explored even more. Still, for the reasons mentioned, Zootopia was still superior to the second film. And, finally, some jokes will probably remain more timeless in the first film than in the second one.
And that’s my review for Zootopia 2. Even if the first movie, I can still see why the second one has been performing well. The characters are still likable, even the newer ones, the sequel is funnier, the world building is expanded upon more, and things like that. If you can make it to the movie theater to see this movie, and sequel, definitely make a point to. In the end, especially if you saw the first film, and enjoyed seeing that one in theaters, you’ll also be glad to have had the theater experience for Zootopia 2. And another thing! Make sure that you stay for both the mid-credit scene, as well as a post-credit scene. You’ll be glad that you did, especially since the end of the post-credit one more than likely sets things up for a third Zootopia movie.
Final Rating: 9.5/10
P.S. Well, at this point, after some okay offerings like Strange World, and Wish, is Disney back on track at this point? Well, considering that there’s been a change in leadership, and hopefully for the better this time, with successes like Zootopia 2, and hopefully future films like Hexed (which comes out in November of this year), 2027’s Frozen 3, and an original film coming out in 2028, weeks can hope that things are back to going upwards for Disney at this point. But I will say this, let’s do hope that some of Walt Disney Animation Studios’, or even Disney/Pixar’s upcoming original theatrical films will be successful to the point that both studios can say, “Man, maybe we don’t have to rely on sequels, and their successes to be successful companies after all”. Now yes, there are some changes that need to be made for that to happen. But hopefully both studios have realized that, and gotten the message at this point. But we shall see. Anyway, here’s hoping to better for both Disney/Poxar, and Walt Disney Animation Studios at this point forward!
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 