In 2016, Walt Disney Animation Studios created the animated buddy cop comedy film Zootopia. The movie was about a rabbit police officer named Judy Hopps and a con artist fox named Nick Wilde. In the film, we follow along as they work together to solve the mysterious disappearances of various predators throughout the city, Zootopia.
When Zootopia first came out, it was probably one of my favorite animated films at the time. The animations, storyline, and music all created an amazing and adventurous film to watch with friends and family. Years after its release, I found myself and my friends re-watching it at sleepovers and hangouts, as it was something we could all agree on getting into bed and watching together. We enjoyed the songs as they were something easy to sing along to, and the plot was entertaining and enjoyable to binge.
One of the best parts of the movie was the music. Its most popular song, “Try Everything,” was recorded and sung by the popular Colombian singer Shakira. It was a song that I think everyone could agree on being catchy and perfect for the movie. As for the movie plot in general, it was enjoyable, entertaining, and perfectly appropriate for younger children to watch. Waiting and hoping for the second movie was vulnerable. As much as I hoped, I wasn’t sure they would actually make it, but on Nov. 26, they finally released the second.
When they first released the second, my friends and I immediately made plans to buy tickets and watch it in theaters. Before watching it, I had come across some personal reviews on TikTok by numerous people. I saw a couple of positive ones, but I mainly viewed negatives. To me, this was surprising. I was confused as to why there were such bad reviews from people. I wondered if it was just the storyline, or maybe even the music. But when I watched it, I noticed that wasn’t the case at all. When I heard that there were inappropriate jokes incorporated into the film, I almost laughed. I thought people were joking with some of the things that were in the movie when they said what they were.
First, there’s a specific part where Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde have multiple encounters with a conspiracy theorist named Nibbles Maplestick. In this scene, the two have to work with Ewetuber to find a snake named Gary De’Snake to prove the reptile community’s innocence in a crime. During this, Maplestick makes a subtle joke that would probably fly over a child’s head but is noticeable to an adult. Wanting to join their team, she said, “It takes two to tango, but a threesome to be something!” as a way of asking to be a part of their partnership. For a child, the lines refer simply to forming a team and working together, but for an adult, is considered in a sexual connotation. Later in the film, a short discussion of a foursome is made.
Second, some languages include a repeated joke based on the name of the “dik-dik” animal, which is constantly brought up throughout the film, becoming a joke mainly for adults.
Third, there are many pop culture moments, including a chase scene in a maze that ultimately parodies The Shining, a scene where Nick has been captured and locked in jail, a specific scene caught my eye with a quick reference to a specific scene in one of the most disturbing horror movies, The Silence Of The Lambs. I thought this was funny because I’ve watched both movies and immediately knew what they were indicating. Personally, I was a little surprised at some of the jokes, but they ultimately made the movie funnier. Throughout the film, there were many more subtle but funny jokes that my friends and I all understood a little too well.
In conclusion, Zootopia 2 uses its funny and sometimes immature jokes to keep the movie engaging and accessible to all ages. Although the humor may not always be subtle, it creates memorable moments between every character. The sequel continues the entertainment of Zootopia while also adding its own energetic twists. Ultimately, the film shows humor that can bring audiences together and make films like these even a little bit more enjoyable.
