You’ll notice a few key details right at the top of Zootopia 2, the sequel to 2016’s gigantic hit that inspired a new generation of furries across the globe, that hint at Disney responding to various criticisms of the original. First, our cop heroes Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick (Jason Bateman) do not wear their uniforms during the film. At all. We see them in one flashback, but otherwise they are in bunny and fox civilian clothes. Second, the very confusing and racist allegory of “predator and prey” is essentially gone, with only casual references to lynxes being territorial and various animal jokes. Finally… the rabbit and the fox really want to fuck.

Zootopia 2 is a fun kids’ movie with plenty of creative action sequences, solid humor, and lovely animation and camerawork. But if you’re above the age of say, twelve, you’re gonna notice things. Perhaps not as many questions as how the Cars universe works, but the questions you have will be more disturbing. What do the carnivores eat? What country is “overseas,” where the reptile population of Zootopia has apparently fled? What does this world look like, exactly? How is this yet another Disney movie involving patent fraud? And most importantly, why is the first thing we see Nick and Judy do in this film pretend to be a married couple with a baby? And when confronted with this, why is the anteater voiced by John Leguizamo mostly nonplussed? Are interspecies couples happening often? Can they actually breed?

None of these questions are answered, but many others, regarding a conspiracy surrounding Zootopia’s powerful lynxes, are. Judy and Nick find themselves caught up with a kind snake named Gary (Ke Huy Qwan), looking to clear his family’s name on the eve of Zootopia’ centennial (Zootennial, obviously). Centering the story around this centennial makes it much more of a celebration of Disney’s century of existence than Wish’s aborted attempt. Disney references and jokes are made throughout the film; some are in the background, while others, like a certain rat chef, feature quite heavily. These winks and nods are much more fun than whatever Wish had going on, and feel more true to the “happiest place on earth” deal the company has suckered the world into believing.

Zootopia 2 is primed to make about a billion dollars at the box office for offering completely serviceable, midbrow entertainment. It’s easy to like this movie, but it’s certainly not trying to be actual art. Though Judy and Nick grow and change, becoming closer in the process and nearly kissing even though that’s crazy, they are still cops at the end of the film. It really felt like they would end up as private eyes, running their own agency, but nope, back to the station. Just because you can upend society and reintroduce reptiles to Zootopia (immigration allegory, I suppose) doesn’t mean you can free yourself from the system entirely. It’s a bit like writing this review: I can air my grievances, attempt to write out the sick feeling this film gives me despite being entertained, and it’s not going to change much. Like with the Marvel films, I just need to speak for anyone sick of this nonsense, so they know not every critic has given up.

One final note of positivity: Andy Samberg is really good in this.

Zootopia 2
2025
Dir. Jared Bush & Byron Howard
107 min

In theaters now!