Disney brings family entertainment this Thanksgiving weekend with ‘Zootopia 2’

“Zootopia 2” Trailer

The trailer for “Zootopia 2,” a Disney movie starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, has been released. It will hit theaters over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Remember those beloved characters? Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are making a comeback. Zootopia 2 is the follow-up to the 2016 animated hit that brought to life a city of anthropomorphic animals. In the first movie, Judy Hopps, voiced by Goodwin, was a determined police officer aiming to be the first rabbit to succeed in the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD). Nick Wilde, played by Bateman, was a cunning fox who turned his back on a life of crime to help Judy solve cases and earn his badge.

A year later, the two are still partners, though things feel a bit rocky. After failing in an illegal smuggling operation, they find themselves in a “Partners in Crisis” group therapy session led by ZPD Chief Bogo, voiced by Idris Elba.

Judy is eager to dive into a new case and suspects something unusual might be happening at the Zootennial Gala, marking the 100th anniversary of Zootopia. Despite reptiles being excluded from the city, a blue snake named Gary (Kay Hui Quan) bursts into the gala and steals a diary that belonged to Zootopia’s founder, Ebenezer Linksley. This twist forces Judy and Nick to pursue him while also being pursued by the ZPD and the Linksley family, desperate to reclaim the diary.

While “Zootopia 2” may not introduce groundbreaking concepts, it’s sure to entertain. The film is packed with familiar faces from the first installment, including Flash the sloth and Benjamin Clawhauser, the lovable dispatcher. There are new characters too, like Mayor Winddancer (Patrick Warburton) and the beaver conspiracy podcaster, Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune).

The voice cast features several notable cameos including Andy Samberg and Shakira, with Quinta Brunson shining as Dr. Fuzby, a quokka therapist guiding the group therapy sessions. And honestly, Judy and Nick find themselves at a bit of a standstill.

Though aimed primarily at kids, the film is sprinkled with references that adults will likely appreciate—think Ratatouille to The Shining vibes.

The creative team of Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who also worked on hits like “Encanto” and the original “Zootopia,” seems to have a knack for crafting films that resonate with both kids and their parents.

Verdict

Overall, “Zootopia 2” is a charming, visually stunning film that many families are sure to enjoy. It might not be the most incredible sequel, but it doesn’t need to be. If you’re looking for a fun outing with kids or grandkids this holiday season, catching “Zootopia 2” in theaters could be a good choice. Of course, if you prefer, waiting for its release on Disney+ is an option too.