Nearly ten years after the hit “Zootopia,” Disney has released a sequel that critics say is inferior to the original. While the first film boldly tackled the themes of prejudice and social issues, “Zootopia 2” has toned down the satire considerably.
The film centers on Judy Hopps (Jennifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who are now new police officers. Critics say the film’s main charm and humor are maintained, mainly thanks to Nick’s character, who is considered one of Bateman’s best performances.
The plot revolves around resolving conflicts, reaching an understanding, and accepting differences. It turns out that snakes are still banned from Zootopia, and during the city’s centennial celebrations, Judy uncovers a secret conspiracy to expel them. The cases develop into a large-scale investigation that includes new characters and historical layers of the city.
Although the film continues to offer puns, humorous episodes, and a colorful animal world, critics note that much of the action has been moved outside of Zootopia, which has reduced the “metropolitan” charm characteristic of the first part.
“Zootopia 2” received 2.5 stars out of 4, has a PG rating, and runs for 108 minutes.
