After nine long years, Disney has finally released Zootopia 2, unlocking a world where not only mammals coexist, but snakes and reptiles do too. Offering viewers a brief recap of the previous film, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde leave off where they finished in their first journey, fighting the corruption of “savage animals.”
From a “What does the fox say?” joke to Shakira’s return to the soundtrack, the movie mixes old and new, keeping that same playful energy from the previous film. Younger kids may enjoy the latest movie, but nothing compares to the nostalgia for older kids who grew up with Zootopia.
Instead of repeating the same childish vibe from the last movie, it takes on serious topics, making it more relatable for teenage and adult viewers. To demonstrate, the film showcases an underlying theme about hiding the truth and its effects on particular groups of individuals.
One of the movie’s strongest suits is Nick and Judy’s evolving relationship. Their friendship has become more mature and serious, showing how much they genuinely care for each other. When Nick finally opens up to Judy and puts aside his sarcastic personality, he shows character development through vulnerability and hope. This puts reality into perspective; Wilde’s growth mirrors the original audience’s development as the years have passed.
Pines Charter High School sophomore Brienna Dominique comments, “After waiting for so long, the movie definitely met my expectations, and watching the recap was helpful because it’s been so long since I last watched the first movie.”
She continues, “Seeing the sequel now that I’m older made me feel nostalgic because I can remember the memories of watching the first Zootopia. For me, the most nostalgic part was seeing the old mayor in jail because she was the villain of the first movie.”
The movie’s message is clear: sometimes the “dangerous” groups in society may only be considered a threat due to lies spread by others. By revealing that Zootopia wasn’t founded by Ebenezer Lynxley, the animal that everyone thought created Zootopia, the film contradicts its own plot and emphasizes its deeper meanings.
Sophomore Noah Mercado comments, “Zootopia 2 exceeded my expectations. It was cool that I watched the first movie as a kid, and now that I’m older, I get to watch the second movie.”
He continues, “The movie relates to real-world issues today, such as discrimination and the fear it breeds. I liked the plot twists and the overall animation of the movie.”
Overall, Zootopia 2 is full of friendship, mystery, and a reunion of characters that fans still cherish dearly. Its combination of humor and mystery makes it a worthwhile watch, especially for older audiences who have waited almost a decade for its release.
