The much-anticipated sequel, Zootopia 2, featuring the vocal talents of Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Ke Huy Quan, has arrived in theaters, sparking curiosity among fans and critics alike. How does this new animated venture fare according to the discerning eyes of Rotten Tomatoes critics?
Helmed by Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush and Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the 2016 hit Zootopia, which captured the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. As it graces theaters nationwide this Friday, audiences are eager to see if the sequel lives up to the legacy of its Oscar-winning forerunner.
In this latest installment, Walt Disney Animation Studios presents a fresh narrative where rookie officers Judy Hopps, voiced by Goodwin, and Nick Wilde, brought to life by Bateman, embark on an intriguing case. The plot thickens with the arrival of Gary De’Snake, portrayed by Quan, who stirs chaos in the bustling city of Zootopia.
As the duo dives deeper into the mystery, they must venture into unfamiliar territories, testing the strength and resilience of their partnership like never before. The film, rated PG, promises to deliver a thrilling mix of adventure and humor, with a star-studded voice cast that includes Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Nate Torrence, and Shakira.
The official synopsis for the movie reads, “Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2, rookie cops Judy Hopps (Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake (Quan) arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down.
“To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.”
Rated PG, Zootopia 2 also stars the voices of Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Nate Torrence and Shakira.
As of the publication of this article, Zootopia 2 has earned a 93% “fresh” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 73 reviews. RT’s Critics Consensus, audience summary and Popcornmeter score based on verified user ratings are still pending.
What Are Individual Critics Saying About ‘Zootopia 2’?
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter is among the top critics on RT who deems Zootopia 2 “fresh,” writing, “This sequel to 2016’s smash hit Oscar-winning animated film proves more than worth the lengthy wait, knocking it out of the park with its dazzling visuals, sophisticated humor and doses of genuine emotion.”
Clarisse Loughrey of the Independent (U.K.) also praises Zootopia 2 on RT, writing in her “fresh” review summary, “Directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush, the latter the new head of the studio, have made a sequel that not only justifies itself, but arguably improves on its predecessor. Really, it’s the same film but better.”
Peter Debruge of Variety is also a fan of Zootopia 2, writing in his “fresh” RT review summary, “These movies are comedies first and crime-film homages second, but it’s their tertiary value as social commentary that makes the franchise so indispensable: Behind the laughs are teachable moments.”
Aisling Murphy of the Globe and Mail also has a “fresh” take on Zootopia 2, writing on RT, “Never does the film feel like it’s beating you over the head with its morals, but you might leave the theatre feeling a little better about the world we live in than you did when you arrived.”
Meanwhile, Soren Andersen of the Seattle Times is among the top critics on RT who gives the film a “rotten” review, writing, “Zootopia 2 comes on strong. Too strong. It seeks to bowl the audience over with noise, velocity and an insistent tone that frankly winds up being kind of irritating.”
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian isn’t impressed by Zootopia 2, either, writing in his “rotten” review summary on RT, “It’s the kind of movie you put on an iPad to keep the children quiet on a long plane or train journey; nothing wrong with that, of course, but the heart and soul are lacking.”
Zootopia 2 opens Wednesday in theaters nationwide.
