A Good Zoo Out There with 'Zootopia 2'

‘Zootopia 2’ poster. Courtesy of William Beavers.

It took 9 years and change, but Hopps and Wilde came back to the case in 'Zootopia 2.' With good returning of the clashing chemistry between Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman's Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde along with great scoring by Michael Giacchino, great new additional cast members such as Ke Huy Quan, Andy Samberg, and Patrick Warburton, and great vibrant animation, it was a fun zoo out there thanks to Disney.

Taking place a week after the original film, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, voiced by Goodwin and Bateman, have to help a pit viper named Gary De'Snake, voiced by Quan, uncover a conspiracy involving the weather walls separating the different towns in Zootopia. Not only that, they must also contend with their compatibility as coworkers in law enforcement.

Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, and Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, in a therapy session in 'Zootopia 2.' Courtesy of Disney and movies.disney.com.

In the beginning, it was hilarious watching Judy and Nick botch an unauthorized mission and cause a ruckus similar to Axel Foley's opening drug case in the original 'Beverly Hills Cop.' It was funny how they were still clashing like roommates between Judy's need for control, perfection, and heroism and Nick's laid-back, wisecracking nature. It was also funny when a razorback ZPD officer got blinded by sheep wool during said ruckus, then the duo got assigned to a partner therapy group hosted by Dr. Fuzby, voiced by Quinta Brunson, who brought back some of her Janine Teagues defusing work from 'Abbott Elementary.' \

But their mismatching aside, I liked how Nick showed more character growth and admitted how deep he cares for Judy's safety, then Judy admitted she needs him, too.

Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, is unwilling to let his partner Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, get hurt on the job in 'Zootopia 2.' Courtesy of Disney and movies.disney.com.

Back to the botched mission, the scoring by Michael Giacchino in that particular scene sounded like a speedy version of 'Soul Bossa Nova' which was frequently used in 'Austin Powers.'

Another funny thing was Warburton's character of Brian Winddancer, a stallion and the new Mayor of Zootopia. He seemed like a copycat of Leodore Lionheart from the first film, being a pompous mayor and accomplice to the crime. That is, until he showed off his old acting training and fought off some crooked lynx people. 

Brian Winddancer, the new Mayor of Zootopia, voiced by Patrick Warburton, in 'Zootopia 2.' Courtesy of Disney and movies.disney.com.

There was also Samberg's Pawbert Lynxley, who went from starting an awkward rapport with an undercover Judy to being one of the bad guys. The latter was both crazy and funny, because until now, I saw Samberg as the goofy good guy, and it was kind of cool to see his character go from an awkward, insecure member of the Lynxley crime family to being ruthless in his quest for respect.

Other than the characters, I liked how the animators, coupled with Giacchino's scoring, used different toned environments as the heroes went about their journey, such as pink, red, and green for a reptile hangout similar to the Mos Eisley cantina, or light and dark sand as Judy and Gary went through a perilous sand area to solve the case of who originally built the weather walls so animals could live according to their weather restrictions.

Speaking of Gary, Quan's character didn't provide too much humor because he was a tragic snake discriminated by people for his fangs when he was really a nice guy. Gary turned his venom into medicine to fight against poison and saw Judy as a kindred spirit despite her occasional recklessness. Another case of color was how he was turned blue in the snow to keep Judy warm in some snow town so she could complete the mission. He may not have been as funny as Hopps and Wilde, but you'll love his heart, if nothing else.

Promotional poster of Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, Gary De'Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan, and Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, from 'Zootopia 2.' Courtesy of Disney and movies.disney.com.

Shakira was back at it as her character Gazelle with a new song called 'Zoo.' It basically describes that you can't let life's problems get you down. And if you do, take them down on the dance floor and feel better with the people you love.

I give the film an 8.5/10. It can't beat the original film, and I wish I had seen Nick and Judy become a couple. Regardless, great job by the crew and cast. Thank you, Disney!

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