When Zootopia first skated into theaters nearly a decade ago, it didn’t just give us a bunch of cute talking animals; it gave us a mirror. It was a film that dared to talk about systemic prejudice, the “messiness” of real life, and the fact that even our most well-intentioned heroes (looking at you, Carrots) have blind spots.

Now, with Zootopia 2, directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard have returned to the concrete jungle to ask an even harder question: What happens after you think you’ve “solved” prejudice, only to realize you’ve just been ignoring a different corner of the room?

Don’t Judge a Snake by Its Cover

This time around, the “outsider” status shifts from predators to reptiles. We meet Gary De’Snake (voiced by the eternally precious Ke Huy Quan), a pit viper who is essentially the avatar for every group that has ever been told they “don’t fit the vibe” of a community. Reptiles have been ostracized from Zootopia for a century, and Gary is here to prove that a flickering tongue doesn’t mean a flickering heart. Ke Huy Quan brings the same earnest, tear-jerking vulnerability here that he brought to Everything Everywhere All At Once. He makes Gary so instantly lovable that you’ll want to personally fight anyone who looks at him sideways. The film uses the reptiles to dive into “cultural erasure“—the idea that Zootopia was built for mammals at the literal expense of everyone else. It’s a heavy theme, but here is a Disney movie that isn’t afraid to get a little radical with its history lessons.

The “Partners in Crisis” of It All

Let’s get to the part we all care about: Nick and Judy. If you were hoping the movie would finally tell us if they are dating, prepare for a “will-they-won’t-they” game that is both cute and a little bit frustrating. After a mission goes wrong, Chief Bogo sends them to “partnership therapy” with a quokka named Dr. Fuzzby. This is the best part of the movie. We get to see that being a perfect team isn’t always easy. Judy is so focused on being a hero that she sometimes forgets to listen, and Nick is still learning how to be honest about his feelings instead of just making jokes.

Watching them learn how to communicate while also trying to solve a huge mystery is both funny and sweet. Whether you think of them as best friends or a couple, their bond is the heart of the movie. It’s a great reminder that even the best relationships take work.

Puns, Parody, and “Only Herders in the Building”

Visually, the movie is a feast. The “Weather Wall” technology allows for some stunning new biomes, including a coastal area for water mammals (just don’t call the sea lions “seals” if you value your life). And the puns? They are relentless. From streaming services like “HuluZoo” to the true-crime podcast “Only Herders in the Building,” the background details are a love letter to anyone who enjoys a good (or terrible) animal joke. There’s even a Shining reference that is so perfectly executed it might actually be more terrifying than the original.

Does Zootopia 2 try to do too much at once? Maybe a little. Between the mystery, the new characters, and the deep family secrets, the plot can get a bit crowded. But at its heart, it’s a story about the work it takes to be a good friend and a better citizen. It’s a reminder that empathy isn’t a one-time choice—it’s a daily practice. Whether you’re a bunny, a fox, or a snake, change still starts with you.  Whether you’re a bunny, a fox, or a snake, change still starts with you.

With more of Nick’s classic sass and the addition of Ke Huy Quan’s wonderful new character, this film is a win. It is truly a masterclass in how to do a sequel without losing its heart. Zootopia 2 is in theaters now. Go for the puns, stay for the emotional growth.