June 18th: Zootopia 2

Have you ever wondered what a rabbit-fox hybrid would look like? Oh, ummm… no reason. Just asking.

Zootopia 2

Released: 2025

Directed by: Jared Bush, Byron Howard

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg

The world of Zootopia is a diverse and colorful one, but it initially was limited to only mammalian species co-existing in the grand city with multiple biomes. Zootopia 2 changes that by including reptiles in the increasingly stratified animal society. Reptiles are seen as outsiders and — particularly with snakes — are vilified. As an allegorical story to begin with, how would introducing a new “culture” impact the symbolism?

The original film was focused on “could these people live together without violence” involving predators and prey animals. Focusing on stereotypes and prejudice, it was a nuanced look at how societies can emphasize differences in a negative way. Zootopia 2 takes that concept and raises it up a bit. It focuses on an invisible population of reptiles that have their own community that is, if seen at all, are second class citizens or worse. It echoes the experiences of immigrant or refugee populations where communities can exist within a society while still being treated as outsiders. It makes the Zootopian society more complex than just predators and prey, creating a different “us vs. them” dynamic. It also shows the different neighborhood/biome locations even more as being significant to the overall culture of the city itself. It, in fact, is what determined the founding of the city altogether. But did that founding include beings other than mammals?

Escalating an already difficult extended metaphor of how communities of different groups of people can not only co-exist but thrive together, Zootopia 2 brings a microscope on society that often has a hard time looking at themselves in the mirror through a critical lens. Why does a group — that not only exists within the society but also has been there from the beginning — not feel welcome in their own land? Especially one that feels it has solved it’s major divisive issues? And when people are confronted with these divisions, why do they deny it? This film hits at issues that the United States of the 2020s is reckoning with and does so with an empathetic view.

Small Observations:

• The relationship between Nick and Judy has progressed into a deep friendship, though I am sure many fans see evidence of a romance developing between the two. While I think the writers walk that line closely, it certainly feels as though they want the discussion to occur. The text is friendship and the subtext is romance.
• The voice acting is on point once again. Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin are joined by Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, and Danny Trejo. Each actor brings a distinct personality to their character, helping the ever-expanding world of Zootopia feel vibrant and lived-in.
• Like the original film, this one features a significant third-act twist. I saw it coming, though several people I know were surprised by the reveal. The concept of a full-on police procedural or buddy-cop film as a Disney animated movie remains an interesting one.
• MCU actors: 4 with one more from Venom

Overall Rank: S

This movie is a successful continuation and creative escalation of the first movie. The animation, voice acting and storyline are all fantastic. Strongly recommended.