(MAJOR SPOILER ALERT)
Disney is back again with another brilliant movie, currently soaring up the charts, filled with laughter as well as heartfelt moments. “Zootopia 2,” what I thought would be an utter let-down compared to the original, turned out to be one of my favorite Disney movies of all time, hands down.
The dynamic duo of Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) are back and brazen in this one-hour, 48-minute adventure-filled journey. This movie had me laughing out loud in the theater, with the exception of an occasional tear drop down my face, as I watched the roller-coaster relationship between Hopps and Wilde.
The movie begins with Hopps and Wilde coming off their first successful mission from the previous movie. Still, their polar-opposite personalities cause added tension and problems between them in this sequel. However, they are forced to put their differences aside when Hopps discovers a mysterious snake skin left astray after an animal raid occurred in the city.
To give some background, in the city of Zootopia, reptiles are looked down upon by mammals. Reptiles in Zootopia used to live in a district referred to as “Reptile Ravine,” a neglected region of Zootopia that is constantly snowed in due to Ebenezer Lynxley, the alleged founder of Zootopia. With the reptiles’ original habitat being constantly snowed in, reptiles were outcast to Marsh Market, a segregated area of Zootopia.
So, when the lone piece of snake skin was left on the ground in Zootopia, it sparked a mass conspiracy that a snake had escaped into the metropolitan area. Disregarding the tension between Hopps and Wilde, the two went undercover, finding themselves at the Zootennial Gala, a potential place where the rogue snake might appear. Thoughtfully disguised, the duo snuck their way into the gala, where they noticed a journal on display — a journal that held the secrets to the dark and mysterious past of Zootopia.
While at the gala, Hopps had an awkward interaction with Pawbert Lynxley (voiced by Andy Samberg). Lynxley is the son of Milton Lynxley (voiced by David Strathairn), the power patriarch of the family, and the grandson of the alleged founder of Zootopia. Unfortunately, the conversation between the two characters was shortly interrupted when the wanted snake, Gary De’Snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), made an appearance. The snake came in and kidnapped the dominant Milton Lynxley and took the journal from the display.
At this point in the movie, unfamiliar with the new characters, I formed a hasty opinion on De’Snake. I thought that De’Snake was going to be the villain in the story, the character that the audience despises. However, my thought process soon changed later in the film when the Lynxley family’s dark, hidden history began to unravel in the following scenes.
Without a second thought, Hopps and Wilde sprang into action, chasing the snake through the corridors of the mansion. The thrilling chase, along with the sensation of uncertainty, made this moment of the movie that much more exciting.
With the stigma around reptiles in Zootopia, having a character like Gary De’Snake, with his naturally sweet, warm personality, allows audience members to grasp a refreshed perspective on not just snakes but society’s misconceptions. This lesson goes far beyond the reptile species themselves, but is advice to follow in your day-to-day life when it comes to treating people.
With “Zootopia 2” being geared toward younger audiences with its PG rating, kids can learn these concepts and morals early on through a blend of action, adventure, and comedy. The clever storyline involving the characters and the acknowledgement of social biases really contribute to the success of the production.
Throughout the movie, many characters stood out to me, specifically Hopps. Having a character like Hopps in the film, with her courage and resilience, made the movie that much more special. The juxtaposition of bunnies being a symbol of cuteness and gentleness, and Hopps being brave and hardworking, made the movie that much better to watch.
Later on in the movie, Pawbert Lynxley joined Hopps and Wilde, and I began to enjoy his gentle humor and cluelessness. The blend of characters and individual characters’ personalities greatly contributed to the success of the production.
From heroes to fugitives, Hopps and Wilde had one motive and one motive only: to find the snake and the journal. Watching this movie, I was just as invested in finding the journal, and I was immersed in the moment, feeling as if I were one of the characters.
With the city of Zootopia resolving its stigma around reptiles, the trio was able to change the controls in the weather room, no longer leaving the reptile region permanently snowed in.
The movie ended with the truth coming out about the Lynxleys and De’Snake finally reconnecting with his family, which was one of my favorite moments of the movie. Seeing De’Snake, who sacrificed so much for his family and overcame so many obstacles, made this scene one of my most cherished. This specific moment reminded me of why I loved this movie so greatly. This movie brought more than just action and adventure to the table, but impactful life lessons to stand by, including individual growth.
This movie was an absolute masterpiece. In my opinion, this movie deserves 10/10 stars, not just for its adventure, twists and turns, but for the positive morals demonstrated in the film.
Go watch Disney’s best, “Zootopia 2.” Available on Disney+ for Streaming.
