The world of “Zootopia” stays inherently fascinating, a reminder of when Disney was prepared to push creatively as a substitute of leaning on countless sequels and squeezing dry no matter IP was inside attain. The primary movie baked sharp metaphors about inexpensive housing, poverty, and capitalism into the cuddly chaos of anthropomorphized animals dwelling in a metropolis supposedly constructed for everybody. It wasn’t excellent, however it was contemporary, engaged with its concepts, and gave us an odd-couple duo in Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde that really felt value rooting for.
“Zootopia 2” continues that identification, however with noticeably much less spark. As an alternative of evolving the dynamic or increasing the world in significant methods, the sequel principally recycles the method. The animal puns are plentiful (a fitness center referred to as Trunks solely for elephants is admittedly an awesome bit, and perhaps a purpose Zootopia ought to be cancelled), there may be yet one more case for Judy and Nick to unravel, and there may be yet one more third-act twist that the adults within the room will spot lengthy earlier than it occurs. The little lady subsequent to me, nevertheless, completely misplaced her thoughts, so credit score the place it’s due.
The movie is undeniably beautiful to take a look at and the voice solid is stacked, together with David Strathairn chewing into the villain function with relish. The film actually retains itself busy, and youthful audiences might be greater than entertained. Nonetheless, it’s clear administrators Jared Bush and Byron Howard are reaching for deeper themes. Acceptance, belonging, and the concept that actual progress requires acknowledging our variations all float via the narrative. It’s admirable, and the dad jokes hit as a rule, however the movie by no means digs deep sufficient to really feel substantial. It’s nice, but in addition surprisingly disposable.
Regardless of the nine-year hole between movies, the sequel picks up only a week after Nick and Judy stopped the villainous mayor (Jenny Slate) and have become prompt celebrities as town’s first bunny-fox partnership. Unsurprisingly, the highlight is short-lived. They should show they’re greater than a novelty act, which pushes them right into a conspiracy involving a snake marginalized by Zootopia’s social hierarchy. Reptiles are relegated to Marsh Market, town’s makeshift ghetto, and the script desires you to really feel the burden of that prejudice, even when the movie itself isn’t absolutely dedicated to inspecting it.
That snake, voiced with heat by Ke Huy Quan, derails a glamorous gala to show town’s sanitized historical past and the hypocrisy of these in energy. Judy and Nick are quickly fugitives in a plot that raises the stakes on paper, but nonetheless feels surprisingly stagnant and overly acquainted.
The emotional beats, together with the themes I already talked about, stay surface-level. Gary da’Snake (sure, that’s his precise identify) desires to reunite together with his household and be handled like a citizen as a substitute of a menace. The sentiment works, and in at the moment’s political local weather, the metaphors land more durable than the filmmakers most likely meant, however Disney isn’t going to take its commentary far sufficient to threat making anybody uncomfortable.
No person is admittedly anticipating “Zootopia 2” to be deeply political, however the film clearly is aware of the territory it’s hovering over. There are even jokes about utilizing humor as a coping mechanism for childhood trauma and the way foxes will do completely something besides go to remedy. These moments trace at one thing sharper, however the movie pulls again each time it will get near saying one thing significant.
Not less than it has extra function than “Moana 2,” which felt engineered solely in a boardroom to promote toys. Gary is a worthwhile addition, colorfully animated and charming sufficient to offer the movie some emotional anchor.
And let’s be sincere, this is not going to be the final time we wander via Zootopia. The world is sufficiently big to justify extra tales, not like, say, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which seems like a franchise growth nobody requested for. If future sequels preserve the jokes intelligent and the world visually wealthy, audiences will nonetheless present up and chuckle on the animal puns. I most likely will too, even when the magic is beginning to put on skinny.
“Zootopia 2” proves the franchise nonetheless has life in it, even when this chapter feels extra like a reminder of what Disney can do fairly than a breakthrough of what it ought to.
ZOOTOPIA 2 is now enjoying in theaters.