Zootopia 2

Set one week after the events of the first film, Zootopia 2 has Judy Hopps (a bunny, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (a fox, voiced by Jason Bateman) as partners for the Zootopia Police Department. In the film's opening scenes, during an undercover sting on a smuggling ring, Judy and Nick accumulate a large amount of damage in typical buddy-cop fashion, which ruffles the feathers (not literal in this case) of the chief, who threatens to split them up if they can't get their act together. But Judy is onto something, as she discovers a shedded snake skin in the crashed vehicle they pursued, and snakes have not been in the city for generations.

Following a hunch, Judy and Nick look for the snake at a fancy gala, who, sure as he slithers, shows up at the evening's event. The snake, named Gary De'Snake (Ke Huy Quan), says he isn't the bad guy--that he's merely misunderstood. Judy and Nick believe him and help him escape from the wicked, rich Lynxley family. After the police chief is viciously fanged, the snake, the bunny, and the fox are framed and must go on the lam (or should it be lamb?) together. Thankfully, Nick is connected to the underworld and can help the three of them navigate the tumultuous life of being a fugitive from the law. The truth behind Gary, the creation of Zootopia, and how it connects to all living animals in the city, both reptilian and mammalian, goes deeper than any of them could imagine. They work together to uncover a massive conspiracy of corruption with a specific agenda. 

Zootopia 2, at its best, works as a sort of Who Framed Roger Rabbit-esque tale (tail? sorry, sorry, I'll stop now) that combines noir elements into a serpentine mystery that doesn't pull any punches in how it, unfortunately, reflects the real world. Too often, however, it's kind of on autopilot, recycling familiar gags from the first movie. A lot of this isn't the movie's fault; the original spent so much time taking us around the city, reveling in the invention and the size of it, and the sequel just can't tread that familiar ground again. Sequels are hard, and for a tough act to follow, Zootopia 2 does surprisingly well, and the kids should love seeing the Flash, the sloth again, this time behind the wheel of a muscle car. 

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Zootopia 2 stomps, snarls, and roars onto Blu-ray in a two-disc release, with the film and special features housed on both a Blu-ray and DVD. The two discs are housed in a standard case with a removable slipcover, and a code that can be used for digital redemption found within.

Like its predecessor, Zootopia 2 looks terrific, existing in a richly detailed, vibrantly imaginative world. Beyond the intricate details that make up the world-building, with animals both large and small standing in for various professions and everyday tools, the animation is rendered flawlessly. Presented in 1080p high-definition video, this Blu-ray is razor-sharp, with fine details visible in the animals' fur and in the design of the digital sets. Lighting, too, is dramatic and varied, from the neon lights of a lizard dive bar to the dark shadows of a possum-led criminal underworld and the finale with moody gothic shadows. 

The 7.1 DTS-HD MA surround sound track is surprisingly subtle for a bombastic animated feature, with surround speaker activity used to expand upon effects originating from the front end of the soundstage. Well-placed effects, however, do find their way to the rear and side speakers, such as a cacophonic effect in a bit of action-packed pandemonium, an ambient effect like a blowing wind, or the dramatic swell of the musical score. The overall result of the sound design feels full, robust, and natural, with the sound engineers using every trick up their sleeves to make the mix as immersive as possible. As is every filmmaker's dream, you get lost in the world of their creation, forget about things like rear or side speakers, and it sounds like a world of drama is simply unfolding around you, everything mixed and leveled with expert precision. Through it all, even in the film's noisiest moments, we never lose sight of the actors' voice performances that propel the story.

For a new release, Zootopia 2 comes with a number of features that look into the film's production, character design, and behind-the-scenes moments with the cast and filmmakers.

• The Zookeepers (HD 18:05) - A behind-the-scenes tour of Disney Animation Studios
• A City of Stars (HD 8:54) - Meet the voice actors behind the case
• Everybody Can Draw! (HD 4:08) - Character sketches with the film's animation supervisor
• Zoo-prising Secrets (HD 5:55) - Uncovering hidden easter eggs throughout the film
• Wilde Times in the Booth (HD 2:40) - Behind-the-scenes look at the voice recording sessions
• The Treat Trolley (HD 3:16) - Follow deliveries of snacks and smiles throughout the animation studios
• "Zoo" Music Video (HD 3:15) - By Shakira
• Deleted Scenes (HD 28:01)

Zootopia 2 isn't as good as the first movie. And that's okay. It was a tough act to follow, so the filmmakers wisely focus in on the relationship between Judy and Nick which has evolved since their first adventure together. The story at the center of the film is surprisingly complex for a kid's movie, a real-life parable for how the rich and powerful demonize their enemies. Zootopia 2 boasts some terrific stats, looking and sounding incredible throughout, and its Blu-ray release is Recommended.