Zootropolis 2 review: Another brilliant outing with Nick and Judy
I am a huge fan of the first Zootropolis – also known as Zootopia in other countries – but I didn’t necessarily think it needed a sequel. However, I had a great time with this second outing – which comes almost 10 years after the original – even if it lacks the magic of the first film.
Bunny Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are now cops at the ZPD. They often disobey Chief Bogo (Idris Elba)’s orders and work on cases they haven’t been assigned. This time around, they uncover a conspiracy in Tundratown that explains why there are no reptiles in Zootropolis. The case involves a snake named Gary (Ke Huy Quan), a family of lynxes and a protected book about the history of the weather walls.
One of my favourite things about Zootropolis is the imagination and clever creativity on display in this world where animals of all shapes and sizes co-exist. I get so much joy out of the little details, like how they get around, what kind of job they have and what their house looks like. The inventiveness in the world-building makes me chuckle, and there is often so much going on that you’ll need to watch it multiple times to spot the Easter eggs and appreciate some of the ideas and references.
Another highlight is the range of wacky characters. Judy and Nick are solid and still trying to work out their dynamic as partners, but they are surrounded by scene-stealers that pop up for a line or two. A few favourites from the original return – such as Shakira‘s Gazelle and The Godfather-style crime boss Mr Big (Maurice LaMarche) – but there are so many fun new additions. I particularly enjoyed Mayor Brian Winddancer (Patrick Warburton), a stallion with a flowing Fabio-style blond mane, the chatty beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) and the Zebros buddy cops (wrestlers Roman Reigns and CM Punk). There is also an excellent sequence in a new district, Marsh Market, featuring many different animals we haven’t encountered before.
The story isn’t as strong this time around, and I didn’t care about it as much. However, with so many characters, jokes, and ideas constantly being introduced, the weaker plot isn’t a huge deal-breaker. This is still hilarious, with plenty of on-screen hijinks to entertain the children and witty dialogue and pop culture references to entertain the adults. There is more for adults to enjoy here than you’d expect from a Disney family film. And like the first outing, there are many cool areas of Zootropolis to explore, dazzling visuals, fun action adventure sequences, and another catchy track from Shakira’s pop star Gazelle.
Zootropolis 2 is a really entertaining movie for the whole family. It may not quite reach the heights of the original, but I still had a great time with it. P.S. Make sure you stay until the very end of the credits!
In cinemas from Friday 28th November