So, I went to the cinema a couple of weeks ago to see Zootopia 2 and I wish to write about it. I’ve got both, good and bad things to tell about the film. What is more, I can say that the bad out weighted the good for me, but overall, I’d give the film a sold 6/10, maybe 6.5 if I’d felt generous enough.
In any case, this is my review of some of the significant aspects of Zootopia 2 that I want to highlight. I will do my best not to spoil the story since the film is still quite recent.
The Main Characters And More
Nick and Judy are still the main focus of the story. They have proven themselves as trustworthy guardians of the law but this time they have to prove that they can work as a team on a daily basis and not just in a one time gig like in the first film. And this is where my first criticism of the film arises. The relationship tension between the characters felt a bit forced. The reasons that they gave are understandable, but were not convincing enough for me. Worse still, they had to say them out load for the audience sometimes. It made me believe that it was hard for the beta audience to pick up, so they added those lines in the script because the whole film was too far into production for many time-consuming changes.
Furthermore, Gary, a snake, is another important character to the story but he appears only in the middle of the film as an actual character, so I won’t speak much about him. I can only say that his personality felt like a very safe choice. Nothing dubious, no grey morals, no wrong words, no unique character traits which would make him seem anything short of an angel. The beaver whose name I forgot (I googled, it was Nibbles Maplestick) is a far more memorable character and has got a very… distinct personality.
Twist Villain? Another One!
Yes, the story presents us with another twist villain but this time he is at least consistent in his persona. That is, once we’ve learn who is the bad guy, he doesn’t suddenly become a cold-blooded manipulative maniac and displays the same traits as previously, it’s just that his motives become clear to the audience. A significant improvement from the first film.
Moreover, I can say that this is where the references became extremely stale due to their overwhelming number. I mean, The Shining is a good film, but it felt like the producers couldn’t think of anything creative and just took the easy route by copying someone else’s homework hardly changing a thing.
More References To The God Of References
This film is filled to the brim with clichés and references to our world and popular media pieces. I have already named The Shining, but there were also Ratatouille, The Silence of the Lambs, and The God Father among many other. It’s nice to have little easter eggs for the fans to discover but this one was suffocating under the them. Well, maybe not references specifically, since those would appear for only a few seconds but some very strong clichés which made the progression of the main conflict way too predictable, which in term made me roll my eyes when Judy and Nick started expressing their feeling to each other by the end of the film in the most corny and in-the-face manner possible.
Aside from that, the script writers wished to add some zoology terminology there like skulk (a collective for foxes) or fluffle (a collective for rabbits), yet though it was meant to be a cute pun since they all are animals, it sounded like I’m watching a National Geographic documentary. This complaint of mine might be a bit too nitpicky but since the writing in general often felt too corny or cringe to me, I had to mention it.
Was It Any Good After All?
Yes, it was decent. A very pleasant evening I spent at the cinema with my family. The action was a bit too fast paced, the plot could have used either less of action or less secrets to untangle by the end to focus of one or two topics better then going for more, but I won’t really blame the film for being too much. It’s depiction of animals was nice and it talked about segregation quite well, showing how it can have a long-lasting damage on many lives.
I cannot say that I didn’t enjoy it or that it wasn’t funny. It was. Even my family laughed at some jokes, and I am the only one who understands English decently among us. The film’s visuals were also outstanding. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the first film, like Nick’s fennec partner in crime or the adorable leopard cop.
Last Word Of Criticism Before The Finale
I have taken some time after the film before writing this, so it’s only now that I have remembered one very important bit that made me put a lower score on this film. There were a few minor logical inconsistencies in the plot which threw me off guard. They don’t distract too much and may have some explanation that I’ve missed but due to their nature, I believe, it was just a rushed production that is to blame.
I remember that there were two or three moments in the film but I will mention only one with Shakira since this is the one that stood out the most to me (and the only one I remember). It’s quite late into the story but let me put it this way to avoid spoilers: the protagonists are chased by the police and they hide in Shakira’s tent where she prepares with her dancers for the concert. The protagonists were previously accused on national television and everyone should believe them to be dangerous, but the audience at this point in time already knows that the accusations were fake. It seemed strange to me that Shakira didn’t even ask for any proof from them and simply believed that they are not guilty even if the authorities say otherwise. Then, she proceeded to fight the policemen to stall the protagonists some time… Like, was she not concerned for her reputation? Was she that sure that Judy cannot be guilty after the events of the first film?
I may be complaining for no reason here, but at some point it threw me off that some characters who were not present for some important information reveal simply new it in later scenes or didn’t need any persuasion for the wildest ideas. However, to be honest, after watching the second season of Hazbin Hotel (stay tuned for this one), I don’t expect any logic from modern media at all, but that’s a story for another time.
Conclusion
I haven’t got much to say about Zootopia 2. It expands on the existing tale, it’s a good continuation to the first film, it’s entertaining. On the other hand, It’s corny, cliché, and on-the-nose when it comes to it’s main emotional conflict. It’s a good film over all but the shortcoming that I have described above made it a one-time film for me. I doubt I will want to rewatch it any time soon.
Still, I don’t want to belittle it too much. Zootopia 2 is enjoyable and funny with good morals. I liked it, not very much but I liked it. Hopefully, it will be a new dawn for Disney animation.
All images are taken from:
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