Zootropolis 2 is definitely a worthy sequel that in some aspects even surpasses its predecessor but ultimately just comes a bit short.
- Director – Jared Bush, Byron Howard
- Runtime – 108 minutes
- Certificate – PG
- Country – United States
The first film being an allegory for a post-racism era in America (even if it is very on the nose), the second film looks to expand on that theme but ends just repeating essentially the same message. It does expand on it in a sense of showing how certain species were attempted to be erased because they are stereotyped to be aggressive or violent by having them forced out of their own land (very important, especially in today’s world). But again it just ends up repeating what the first said which is that we can work together if we put aside our prejudices.
Not to say that this message isn’t important, because it is, I just wished for them to try and say something new.
The story, while played out nor does anything new, is done surprisingly well. It is quite simple but yet it works. A big part as to the reason why is because how invested I am in these characters. Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), their chemistry is almost infectious. The opposing differences in their characters and personalities is what makes them so good (and is actually a big theme of the film).
Having Gary be voiced by Ke Huy Quan is probably the smartest move they could’ve made. When the character you’re meant to believe is this vicious and dangerous and then when he speaks, is voiced by one of the most wholesome and jolliest people you will ever see, it is brilliant. It completely subverts your expectations and speaks as whole to how people judge other’s purely based on prejudices.
The animation has received a significant improvement. While the first was good, the second is even better – everything looks so crisp and clean. The main aspect I noticed were the characters expressions (especially Nick). He was so emotive throughout the whole film that if you told me he was mocapped, I’d believe you.
The film as whole looks phenomenal. From its lighting, its colour palette to the framing create for a very unique and erratic cinematography. Its score was surprisingly good too. Ranging from this jazzy espionage music to synth pop and at times, blends them.
One feature I never see get much praise from these films is its world building. The first truly made me feel like that was a real, lived in world and the second doubles down on that by showing new areas and biomes that weren’t explored before, including different animals and their histories.
My real gripe with the film though is the villain. In fairness the first’s villain wasn’t that good either, so my expectations weren’t that high to begin with but it is made worse when this could have been good.
Having a family that controls everything from the background allowed it to get dark at times (and I know it is a kids film) but unfortunately doesn’t follow through with that. So far, both villains either are corrupt or the source of corruption and honestly it is getting tired. Hopefully, if there’s a third, which based on early box office predictions there will be, the villain will not be corrupt.
Zootropolis 2 at times surpasses its predecessor being technically and visually superior, with its stunning cinematography and improved animation, alongside its expanded characters and world building, but is ultimately dragged down by its tired villain and its repetitive message that doesn’t say anything new.
Zootropolis 2 is now playing at the Lockworks and other cinemas.