Zootopia 2 falls short of original but is still worth your while

Zootopia 2 is a sequel I have personally been waiting on for quite some time. The original was released in 2016 and became one of my all-time favorite animated films. With an all-star cast including the returning beloved duo of Officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and newly minted Officer Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), Zootopia 2, for better or worse, comes with high expectations. One of the reasons the original was so captivating was the charm and heart that the characters and movie leaned into. The sequel looks to recapture those feelings and add something extra on top.

Directed by Jared Bush, Zootopia 2 picks up immediately where the original left off. Judy and Nick are the new “it team” on the police force; yet most within the department feel they are just a one-hit wonder. So, along with solving the latest criminal mystery, they need to win over their entire department in the process. They are given just that opportunity when a new reptilian resident (Ke Huy Quan) appears, which throws the world of Zootopia into chaos. Their partnership is put to the test as they must confront multiple nefarious plots and characters and more social issues, all while being forced to confront their own partnership like never before.

Zootopia 2 is a fun, high-energy sequel that should entertain crowds of all ages. It offers an expansive team of new characters, a compelling storyline, and a lot of the same laughter and warmth of the original. The sequel does fall short, though. Some of the jokes will (intentionally?) go over kids’ heads, and it only tries to recapture the spirit of the original rather than expand on it, leaving it feeling slightly stale. With that being said, kids and families will still enjoy the ride together, so if you’re looking for something that all your family should enjoy, this should be on your list.