Sometimes a fox and a bunny can remind you what coexistence looks like. And that reminder feels good.
The first Zootopia stuck with me because it wasn’t just a cute movie about talking animals, it had something real underneath. Judy Hopps becoming the first bunny cop and being doubted at every turn hit close to home. Nick Wilde being judged just because he’s a fox also felt familiar. The film showed how people can box us in, and how we sometimes shrink or move based on how others see us. That honesty made the first movie special.
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For anyone who hasn’t seen the first film (or needs a refresher), “Zootopia” introduced us to a city where predators and prey live together in a modern, human-like metropolis. Judy Hopps, a small-town bunny with big ambitions, becomes the first rabbit police officer, a job usually reserved for larger, tougher animals. She teams up with Nick Wilde, a sly fox and small-time hustler who’s spent his whole life being judged for what foxes are “supposed” to be.
Judy and Nick uncover a conspiracy that forces Zootopia to confront its own biases: predators going “savage,” prey panicking, and a city that isn’t as equal as it claims to be. The heart of the story is simple: don’t judge based on stereotypes, and don’t let society decide who you get to be.
The sequel takes that world and opens it up
In Zootopia 2, Judy and Nick are now full-time police partners looking for their next major case. Their routine breaks when they catch Gary De’Snake sneaking into an event hosted by the wealthy Lynxley family. What looks like a small theft leads to a much larger conspiracy involving Zootopia’s history including species that were never allowed inside the city and groups who were forced out of their own territories.
As Judy and Nick chase the truth, they travel through parts of Zootopia we never saw in the first film. The mystery puts pressure on their partnership, and the two are forced to face their differences while uncovering who really shaped Zootopia and who has been left out of it.
I ended up loving Gary more than I expected. He’s funny, chaotic, and somehow very endearing, and admittedly, Andy Samberg voicing one of the Lynxley sons was a highlight for me. But Gary isn’t the only standout. The sequel also introduces Nibbles Maplestick, a conspiracy-loving beaver with a podcast and she easily became one of my favorite additions.
The story goes deeper into Zootopia’s past and shows a version of the city that isn’t as perfect as the first film made it look. The topics are big, but the movie explains them in a way that’s easy to follow. Kids will see adventure and adults will see exactly what it’s talking about.
The world-building is stronger this time
The sequel gives us new places like Marsh Market, the reptile zones, the icy districts, the desert festival and everything looks richer and more detailed. The climate walls, which barely mattered in the first film, finally get explained and play a huge part in the plot. You can tell the creators wanted to expand the world for us to better grasp it.
The emotional side is what surprised me most
Judy and Nick hit a rough patch, and it feels very real, just two individuals who care about each other but don’t always agree. Their visit to a Partners in Crisis support group is funny, but also painfully honest: Friendships aren’t perfect. You repair them.
As someone who shares Judy’s name, I’ve always seen a bit of myself in her. In this sequel, she becomes aware, more reflective, and more willing to face truths she didn’t see before. I liked that growth.
Did I love the movie? Yes. It’s fun, it’s warm, and it still says something worth hearing.
If you’re looking for something to watch this Christmas that’s light, funny, and warm, this is it. And with everything happening in the country right now, it feels like a small, welcome reset.
Sometimes a fox and a bunny can remind you what coexistence looks like. And that reminder feels good.
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