The Wasteland Reviewer

Zootopia 2 (2025) Written Review

Are we ready to return to one of the most vibrant, creative, and detailed worlds crafted by Disney Animation? Zootopia was a huge hit back in 2016 as it whisked audiences away to this wonderful city of varied ecosystems and a collective of animals who (seemingly) live in harmony. Zootopia might be one of the biggest opportunities that Disney Animation has as its world is so rich, and the basic structure of the film’s story opens the door for various missions and cases that our odd partners can investigate. That is exactly what Jared Bush and Byron Howard have delivered with Zootopia 2 as bunny cop Judy Hopps and fox grifter turned cop Nick Wilde are on the case of a mysterious snake and a grand cover-up that could change Zootopia forever. 

How do Bush and Howard bring this vibrant world back to life on screen? First off, the animation is just incredible as all these different biomes and animals are brought to life so vividly with such vibrance and detail. No notes on all the animation. The energy of the film keeps it propelling forward without skimping on meaningful, quieter moments. For a film for close to two hours, this never feels long at all. The pacing and energy of the film are so engrossing from start to finish. There are some key emotional elements that will garner genuine emotion from audience members of all ages. There are plenty of thrilling elements as well with different chases, conflicts, and fights that bring the goods. The film is wall-to-wall funny because there are constantly comedic elements that shine throughout the film. Whether they are background gags (which make this film so rewatchable for that reason) or in the forefront, Bush and Howard get their audience to be laughing along the way. This is an impeccably rendered film with plenty of personality as well (including some key references to other films). The music plays a huge part too with yet another Shakira, I mean Gazelle, hit song, “Zoo”. Then you have Michael Giacchino’s score. This is some impressive variety as Giacchino spends the time capturing the different cultural elements in the music while being able to deliver an energetic and adventurous score. 

How does Bush’s screenplay stand out in this wonderfully exciting sequel? Like the first film, Zootopia 2 has a huge strength in writing. Just from a comedic standpoint, there are so many clever references and play-on-words sprinkled throughout the film. Some of the characters are perfectly written with good banter. Then you have plenty of good staging for physical comedy. Zootopia 2 has it all. The world-building and lore of this city is expanded and enriched in ways that make this film so much more interesting and culturally relevant as it explores colonialism and xenophobia in compelling ways. There is also a strong mystery at the core of the film with some unexpected twists and turns that will legitimately get you. The mystery links deeply with the world-building, allowing it all to feel so organic. There are so many interesting worlds explored in this franchise and the sequel explores reptiles and the more “salt-of-the-earth” types of animals in a fresh way that makes this world feel even bigger and more relevant. There are some fun new characters who give the film more depth like the snake, Gary, and the beaver, Nibbles (who is a fun representation of internet conspiracy culture). The central relationship between Judy and Nick is expanded, explored, and deepened in such meaningful ways. The film starts with a fresh partnership and ends with a deeply moving friendship that is stronger than ever. Clever, sharp, and creative, Zootopia 2 is how you write a sequel. 

What is the unsung gem of this film? The cast is just superb. Ginnifer Goodwin is endlessly charming, endearing, and at times overbearing as the highly active and ambitious Judy. Jason Bateman was born to play a sarcastic fox, and he also adds emotional layers to this character as well with Nick. Ky Huy Quan turns out to be the right charming and tender presence to disarm the expectations on Gary De Snake. Fortune Feimster is a scene-stealer and pitch perfect as the aggressively fun and spunky Nibbles Maplesticks (quite the charming beaver). Some of the most interesting new additions are Andy Samberg as the oddball lynx who has some unexpected layers, David Strathairn who delivers a nefarious presence to the film’s lynx antagonist, Danny Trejo as a mysterious and helpful lizard named Jesus, and the hilariously dense and bravado filled new Mayor Winddancer (a muscular horse voiced perfectly by Patrick Warburton). The film is stacked to the ceiling with fun cameos, pitch perfect voice performances, and fun characters along the way. If this film didn’t have an amazingly fun and authentic Mafia mole scene…we would have rioted. 

Does Zootopia 2 offer a worthwhile follow-up to the beloved original? It has been almost 10 years since the film, and we can only hope we get more editions in this franchise like this. A great case. Strong character development. Fun and interesting new characters. Deepening of the lore and world-building. Plenty of laughs and emotions. Bush and Howard succeed and get Disney Animation on track and gives the audience a compelling tease for even more expansion and new places to explore in Zootopia.