Zootopia 2 Has Critics Atwitter

"The sequel, directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, again features positive lessons about acceptance and plenty of jokes. Critics are giving two paws up to the film's messaging - even in the face of Disney's rollbacks to DEI policies in a Trump-dominated culture - but are also divided by the interspecies chemistry between the two leads."

"At the same time, just as advancements in digital animation allow us to appreciate the detail of every strand of fur on its protagonists' faces, the film can't help but give their characterizations more real-world tangibility, too, with Nick talking about how he deflects owing to childhood trauma and Judy admitting that she habitually puts herself at risk to prove her worth in the face of stereotypes."

Zootopia 2 opens November 27 and has received near-universal positive reviews. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return as police partners investigating Gary De-Snake, a chaotic reptile played by Ke Huy Quan. The sequel is directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard and features voice performances from Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. The film combines comedy with messages of acceptance, explores character backstories and trauma, and makes use of detailed digital animation. Critics praise the film's messaging despite cultural pushes against DEI, while some reviewers are divided over the perceived romantic or sexualized interspecies chemistry.

Read at Vulture