As a big fan of the original Zootopia, I was thrilled to finally catch the preview of the sequel earlier this week with my son, Asher. Given that the first film came out almost ten years ago, I had been wondering why it took Disney so long to revisit this world, but the wait was worth it. This is easily one of the better Disney animations we have seen in recent years, proving that the magic of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman respectively)’s partnership is far from over.
The new film plunges us right back into the lively, sprawling animal metropolis of Zootopia, following Judy and Nick as they tackle a new, complex case.
The animation quality is stellar, with every detail looking visually stunning. This is a major upgrade from the first, showcasing how much technology has advanced:
The story itself focuses on the evolution of Judy and Nick’s working relationship, shifting from learning to trust each other in the first movie to the trickier goal of achieving mutual respect and being better partners in this one. That is a theme that resonates well universally and can be applied to all sorts of real life relationships, making the film feel mature and engaging for adults, not just children.
The movie is packed with uproarious gags and a frantic energy that kept us engaged throughout. While no single moment quite tops the classic sloth sequence from the original, the sequel delivers a consistent stream of clever animal puns and witty humour that works for both children and adults. I found the new characters, like a podcasting beaver and the pitiful pit viper, Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan, to be delightful additions that fit seamlessly into the world. The returning favourites, from the arctic shrew Mr. Big to the slow moving Flash, provide a comforting sense of familiarity.
While the story structure might feel a little formulaic because it sticks closely to the buddy cop mystery elements that made the original work, it is a formula that still work and we won’t blame Disney for playing it safe here.
It is packed with clever gags and energetic chase sequences that keep the pace moving quickly. Throughout all the action and jokes, the undeniable chemistry between our two lead characters remains the heartfelt anchor of the entire film.
In a wonderful nod to the first film, the sequel features a superb and incredibly catchy new original song, ‘Zoo’, performed by Gazelle, who is voiced once again by the incomparable Shakira, this time with a collaboration from Ed Sheeran. Just like ‘Try Everything’ from the original, this new track is a total earworm that you will be humming all the way home.
Ultimately, Zootopia 2 is great family entertainment. It manages to capture the genuine humour and heart of the original while expanding the world and deepening the bond between Judy and Nick. It is exactly the kind of smart, beautifully crafted sequel that Disney animation needs right now to draw audiences back into the cinemas.
Zootopia 2 is now showing in Singapore cinemas. Go catch it!
