Jan 26, 2026
Spiritually Speaking at the Movies : ZooTopia 2 rated PG. 2025 1h45, nominated for Best Animated Feature. “Judy Hopps” voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and “Nick Wilde” by Justin Bateman
Meanwhile, in the animated “Animal Adventure” genre is ZooTopia 2. Should you see it? Sure. ZooTopia 2 is fun, colorful, and splashy. The characters are spoken and drawn well. And for parents there is nothing seriously objectionable by the flawed behavior of both heroes, their not-so-formed values, honesty or integrity to draw away from the story and groan out loud about. That, in and of itself, makes it a worth-while trip to the theatre with the kids or grandkids. You can put away parental red flags and enjoy yourself.
My grandson, age 12, thought there was “enough real danger” in the storyline that made him appreciate the action. I was captivated by the sheer amount of detail drawn into chase scenes through animals villages, above and below the water, that can only be seen for a second, if that. You are careening through environments, dare I say “lush,” that make one want to have freeze-frame available to study every second. It whips you through animal cultures like a wild animal park ride gone berserk. It’s eye-candy fun and says something about the creators that went to so much detail when they just didn’t have to. Perhaps that’s why it’s been nominated for Best Animated Feature and it makes ZooTopia 2 a big-screen treat for the eyes and ears.
The sequel story picks up right up after the cop dynamic duo of rabbit — Judy Hopps — and fox, — Nick Wilde — are at the pinnacle of success from the first movie. They are heroes, but not for long.
How the mighty fall when an over-reach appetite from work-aholic Judy gets the pair remanded to animal cop rehab and a tiny group psychologist. The scene is therapy sarcasm at its best; funny and at the same time, so revealing about the nature of some kinds of counseling. Kids won’t get it, but, oh, their parents will.
Fun characters from the first film make a reappearance including sloth, and the not-so-thinly-veiled satire of the “God Father” like shrew family. It’s hysterical if you are over 40.
The “dangerous” plot is revealed by a family of sly, underhanded Lynx. They are grabbing land and power by discrediting and displacing an entire genus/species of animal (snakes) for their own nefarious purposes. This shadows life as it really has been or is, but not to the extent that it’s going to brainwash your children.
The Lynx crime boss presents an obstacle Judy and Nick must overcome together (and almost don’t), all while being pursued for arrest by their own tenacious and almost Keystone Cop colleagues for some alleged offense. It’s all just a big mis-understanding that resolves with the Lynx bad guys exposed and jailed, but not so easily that one can see it coming.
It keeps you on the edge of your seat, as one seemingly impossible thing after another thwarts Judy, Nick and De’ Snake, the framed banned from ZooTopia. It’s good fun and a crime thriller too. Quite a trick for a kids movie.
ZooTopia 2 is a Disney entry. The company has endured controversy at its animation division in the past, due to featured characters some Guardians of the family-friendly Galaxy find objectionable. As a result, there has been caution from potential movie-goers to expose their children and grandchildren to said philosophies.
Here, Disney exercises welcome restraint for a worry-free fun time.
The only eye-rolling moment actually comes during the credits. All the various animals in Utopia - I mean, ZOO topia —get together to just sing their blues away, led a gyrating female character based on the singer Shakria. She shakes her way to animation samadhi as people walk out of the theatre.The message is, “If we only get together and sing, you know, and have a party, all will be right with the world.”
It’s the magic bullet theory that, “If we say it long enough and loud enough then it will happen,” mindset. This is so 20 years ago as they say. No one really buys that idea anymore, but if you’re a film-maker for kids, you can almost hear them say, “what are you gonna do?” You’re going to want to end upbeat, so there it is.
See ZooTopia 2, Enjoy the amazing graphics, well written story, interesting characters, and escape for an hour or so. It’s worth it in today’s climate. You can easily leave before the credits roll.