“Zootopia 2” marks Disney’s newest attempt to show that its sequels can carry the same magic as its original stories. I was skeptical that this film could break the trend set by other recent continuations and live-action remakes and instead showcase the fresh, magical formula that has long been Disney’s signature. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the passion and vision put into this movie, as were many other viewers. It earned a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared with Moana 2’s 60% and the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake’s 72%. So, what made this film stand out?
For one, the storyline highlighted the imagination and creativity of the writers. The dynamic between main characters Nick (voiced by Jason Bateman) and Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) felt like a natural continuation of the first film while remaining captivating and original. Their conflict never felt forced or unreasonable. For example, when the two have a major fight—Judy laser-focused on the case and Nick more concerned about their friendship—the tension feels authentic and consistent with the personalities established in the original movie. Many films rely on artificial miscommunication to create tension, but Zootopia 2 avoids this trap.
This sincerity is likely one reason the film was so well received while other sequels failed to earn similar acclaim. For instance, the internal struggle Maui (Dwayne Johnson) helps Moana (Auli‘i Cravalho) overcome in Moana 2, released less than a year before Zootopia 2, closely mirrors the unease Moana helped Maui face in the original. The result felt repetitive and uninspired. By contrast, Zootopia 2 takes Nick and Judy’s personality differences and adds new depth to their conflicts, showing how much they care about each other and their city. It was refreshing to see such an organic, engaging main character duo.
Another unique element was the story’s worldbuilding. It was clever of the filmmakers to address the absence of reptiles in the first movie and to introduce Marsh Market, their community. However, I worry that future sequels might rely too heavily on the formula of spotlighting previously unseen animal groups. If another installment is made, I hope the writers avoid repetitive worldbuilding and instead continue to find new narrative directions.
The film’s adventurous, fast-paced nature was also a highlight. From attending the Zootennial Gala to traveling to Marsh Market to breaking into the Weather Wall, the sheer scope made the movie exciting and offered an interesting look at new corners of Zootopia. Still, this breakneck pace would have benefited from slower moments to explore the characters—especially the new additions—and to allow the faster scenes to feel more suspenseful. Many Disney sequels struggle with this issue, prioritizing plot over character development. A more character-driven focus would make these stories more memorable and less like a blur of constant action.
The film introduces several new characters, including Nibbles (Fortune Feimster), a charming beaver the main duo meets in Marsh Market. With an entertaining personality and meaningful contributions to the plot, she quickly became my favorite addition. Small details, like running a conspiracy theory podcast, made her feel realistic and endearing.
Gary (Ke Huy Quan), the snake featured prominently in the trailers, was also a standout, though he receives much less screen time and development than expected. This goes back to the pacing issues. With more slower, character-focused moments, the film would have had time to fully flesh out Gary and build audience investment. At one point, Gary calls Judy his “best warm-blooded friend,” but the lack of shared screen time makes the moment feel unconvincing. If the movie had developed him more, viewers would have felt a stronger emotional impact during the scenes where he is threatened by the Lynxley family.
Speaking of the Lynxleys, another major addition to the cast is Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg), an awkward and seemingly lovable son of the powerful and tyrannical family. However, he ultimately betrays the main cast near the climax, attempting to kill them and steal evidence that would clear Gary’s name.
Although the twist villain reveal was shocking and engaging, I was disappointed by the message it sent. Early in the film, Pawbert seems poised to convey the idea that good can come from unexpected places. His heel turn undermines that theme, which felt like a missed opportunity. While Gary still represents that message, Pawbert could have strengthened it.
Another issue with Pawbert’s arc is that the twist villain trope feels overused. As it becomes more common, it also becomes more predictable, reducing suspense and emotional impact. With so many recent movies—including Coco, The Bad Guys, Up, Incredibles 2 and Big Hero 6—using twist villains, the concept is beginning to feel tired. Keeping Pawbert as a protagonist while framing the Lynxley family as the primary antagonists would have kept the story more compelling and original.
Overall, Zootopia 2 is both a compelling film and a victim of some classic Disney sequel pitfalls. Despite relying on a few clichéd elements like twist villains and limited character exploration, it succeeds in areas where Disney has recently struggled. It features engaging character dynamics, clever worldbuilding and a plot that never feels forced. As a whole, it is a delightful film—both paws-itively hiss-terical and the purr-fect sequel to Zootopia.
