After an inexplicable nine-year wait, we once again get the pleasure of spending time in the effortlessly charming and hilarious world of Zootopia. Wildy smarter than it needs to be, Zootopia 2 is an outstanding sequel that both retains the essence of the first film and somehow finds new and interesting things to say about our own world using anthropomorphic animals to deliver timely social commentary. If you’re reading between the lines, you’re going to find a lot of interesting subtexts beneath the surface here. It’s unusual for a sequel to a billion-dollar hit to evolve both thematically and emotionally while somehow keeping up the energy and raw joke density established by the unimpeachable original. Seriously, the sheer amount of animal puns alone is staggering but it never gets in the way of the storytelling or character growth.
And that’s due in part to the lineage of the first film. The original arrived fully formed with prestige DNA behind the scenes, having been co-directed by Rich Moore and Byron Howard. Rich Moore is animated comedy royalty. He won Emmys for his work during the golden eras of both The Simpsons and Futurama. Those whip-crack comedic sensibilities set the tone and pace for the first film. Although Moore is out this time and Howard is now co-directing with Jared Bush (who penned both films), the final product here is as fast and sharp as ever, expanding on the house style Moore put into place and continuing to innovate throughout. A little more mature, this new outing features the same clockwork pacing, witty word play, blink-and-you-miss-it sight gags and heartfelt character development that made the first film a worldwide success, both critically and financially.
We open in medias res as our dynamic duo struggle to figure out the rhythm of their new professional partnership. Officer Judy Hopps (played by the naturally gifted Ginnifer Goodwin) is the driven, endlessly optimistic rabbit from Bunnyburrow. As the first ever rabbit officer of the Zootopia Police Department, she’s got everything to prove and the sly red fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) has now joined the force as her partner. Once a smooth con artist, Nick is trying his best to both do as little as possible and play off how much he might care about Judy and her relentless pursuit of justice.
After their first case infiltrating a smuggling ring goes off the rails (due to their clashing personalities), the anthropomorphic buffalo Police Chief Bogo (Idris Elba played to perfection) threatens to end their partnership if they don’t attend the department mandated partner therapy sessions. As a larger conspiracy unfolds, Nick and Judy try and stick together despite their clear differences: our duo is once more tasked with a case that frames them as outsiders in larger system as they uncover the secret plots of the powerful cabal who control the city. But as established in the partner therapy scene, they must also now reckon with the personal issues within themselves and each other. This is the kind of film Zootopia 2 is: one jam packed with hilarious jokes for all ages but also one just as interested in the dynamics of relationships and our roles in society. How much can we compromise for the ones we love? How much do we really need to prove to ourselves? Yes, really. These are the some of the larger questions the film uses it’s bright, colorful façade in interrogate, all while still delving into the brilliant social commentary the first film stealthily trojan horsed into what would seem to be a generic family film.
This is not your standard animated Disney dribble. It’s smart, soulful and relevant as ever. Few films aimed at all audiences manage to examine the themes of society and class that have never been more prescient. It’s on par with some of the best classic Pixar films and golden era Simpsons seasons. That delicate balance of laugh-out-loud comedy seasoned with heartfelt introspection is hard trick to pull off. I’m pleased to announce Disney Animation Studios has once more pulled a rabbit out of hat.| Joseph C. Roussin
