After nine long years of anticipation, the “Zootopia” sequel has finally arrived, receiving favorable reactions worldwide.
Following the release of the first movie in 2016, many fans were eager to see a sequel, hoping to find out what happens next in the world of “Zootopia.”
According to Screen Daily, the first movie performed very well after its release and is noted as one of the highest-grossing original animated films of all time, earning over $1 billion within its first year.
“Zootopia 2” has performed similarly, with its opening run ranked as the fourth-highest opening of all time for an animated movie. With a 93% Rotten Tomatoes ranking, it is clear that both critics and fans have good things to say about the sequel.
“I am happy that the sequel to ‘Zootopia’ finally came out. I have been waiting for it for a long time, and it is one of my favorite movies. I really like the new movie, and I think it is very heartwarming and there is a lot of action,” said Rachel Fan, a sophomore at Carlmont.
Since its release in theaters on Nov. 26, the film has generated a domestic box office of $158 million during the recent Thanksgiving break. Globally, the movie has grossed $550 million in ticket sales, with the majority of revenue coming from China and the United States.
“Zootopia” has maintained a large fan base over the years, which has significantly contributed to the success of the sequel. The franchise has achieved this through various marketing methods, the unique storyline, and the morals conveyed in the story.
“A message I saw that was communicated in the movie was that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and doing so can sometimes lead to the creation of harmful stereotypes,” said Angelina Zhang, a sophomore at Carlmont.
In addition, the original movie is now available to stream on Disney+ and Prime Video with a subscription. This accessibility allowed new audiences to access the film and helped maintain interest in the sequel.
The movies appeal to both younger and older audiences, with a fantasy side that can attract kids and a fun plot that makes it a comfort movie for older fans.
“I think ‘Zootopia’ is a funny world to have built, and the novelty of seeing animal-related pop culture or zoo puns could draw in teens or anyone who understands the gag. I feel like the world is very colorful, animals are fun, and the plot is entertaining enough for kids to follow as well,” said Sydney Bishop, a Carlmont alum.
One factor that helped boost the first movie’s popularity was Shakira’s character, Gazelle, and her song “Try Everything.” The song has over 450 million streams on Spotify and is heavily associated with the “Zootopia” movie. Due to her popularity, her character appeared once again in the second movie, accompanied by another song called “Zoo.”
Not only do these songs add character to the movie soundtrack, but they also communicate messages relating to the characters’ experiences in “Zootopia.”
According to the Foundation for Economic Education, the song “Try Everything” explores perseverance and conveys the film’s message about chasing dreams and fighting stereotypes. The song “Zoo” is more uplifting and celebrates differences, which contributes more to the plot of the second movie.
Additionally, both “Zootopia” movies feature unique storylines that explore themes of stereotyping and discrimination. Specifically, “Zootopia 2” highlights various societal challenges, including overcoming prejudice, embracing differences, and navigating corruption.
“The story was mostly showing how our systems can marginalize certain communities, like how the lynxes did with the reptiles. But I think it was also getting at the value of accepting personal differences and seeing them as strengths,” Bishop said.
Many fans enjoy the portrayal of characters in the movie, whether it be the new reptiles or Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Although it has been nine years since the last film, the voice actors are still the same, with new ones added for new characters.
Some critics believe that Disney did not put enough effort into the sequel, despite its release nine years after the original. However, for the most part, many fans and other critics enjoy the heartfelt, adventurous, and charming story.
“I do think the movie is good, and the story is funny, but I would recommend it to kids rather than people my age. Some parts of the movie were less exciting than I wish they were,” Zhang said.
