Warning: The film has a PG rating so be wary of what you expose your kids to especially if it’s in animation form.
My son and I just came from the Advanced Screening of the film Zootopia 2 at SM Lanang Premier Cinema 4 earlier and it’s definitely a must-see for everyone who’s watched the original Zootopia film.
We went with the rest of the Davao Bloggers Society but because we were the earliest there, was separated from them until we came out at the end of the show.
Before the show started, there was a contest held for the best-dressed children who came in full Zootopia costume and boy did they bring it. There was also another prize handed out to the most photogenic kid in that gathering.
We were asked to sign a waiver to not release anything until after the film dropped in the cinemas for the general public so this article has had two revisions so far since I wrote it as soon as we got home.
I had to change it a bit because I really do not want to spoil anyone’s experience.
It truly is a great film from the Walt Disney Animation Studios and I can’t thank Walt Disney Studios PH enough for including me and my son and the Davao Blogger Society in the list of participants to attend the advanced screening.
To Connect, here are their Social media links:
Facebook: Walt Disney Studios PH
Instagram: disneystudiosph
Youtube: @WaltDisneyStudiosPH
One other thing that I really appreciated was taking all mobile phones away before entering the cinema. I mean, I get it, not having your phone with you can be unnerving, but learn to disconnect every now and then and just appreciate life as it happens.
I had a great time at the cinema for the first time in so long because not one person pulled out a phone in the middle of the movie to distract us with their bright screen. How could they? Their phones were outside in sealed bags.
Now on to the movie
Some Scenes May Not Be Appropriate for Very Young Kids
By now, you’d probably be old enough not to need as much parental guidance.
Or maybe not.
This film is also slightly targeted at kids who are at least 4 or 5 years old and up that can already understand why some things that happen onscreen should not be emulated.
Just, just be a good aprent and make sure your kids understand what’s happening onscreen if they do have questions.
This film is rated PG and the reason for that is because there are some scenes that depict extreme or implied violence. These are things that could leave an impression on very young children and parents need to address this immediately by talking to their child and explaining that some things should not be copied in real-life.
There were a few scenes like that but they were very quick so that’s a good thing, I guess.
I should’ve remembered that Zootopia had some violent scenes which I only later realized when I reviewed it before writing this.
Warning! Spoilers Ahead! – There, I Think I’ve Warned You Enough
Anyway, here’s my take on the film and I’ll try my best not to spoil anything.
Needless to say: Spoiler Warning Ahead.
Although it’s been nearly a decade since Zootopia, Zootopia 2 seems to take place a few weeks after Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde’s success in the first film.
This reconnects us with the two main protagonists, and their current roles as partners and police officers. Judy is still the same bunny with that over-the-top go-getter attitude while Nick is still that suave, smooth-talking con artist.
This film tries to explore Zootopia while also further fleshing out the characters which would is probably a staging development for another sequel because it seems like a very successful film from where I was sitting.
The story has a very good pace and holds kids attentions well. My son’s eyes was glued almost the entire time on the screen and I had to be the one to interrupt him whenever brief moments of chaos or violence occurred.
Like in the same film, the jokes, puns and other comedic parts of the film were well delivered and easy to understand for most kids. There were also some moments where the pop culture references may go over the heads of some people but they were few and far between but truly appreciated by the nerds and geeks like me who’ve somehow incorporated it into their vast library of useless information.
Colors were crisp, animation was flawless and the characters onscreen looked incredible. This film is sure to go down as a classic and I believe will join the top
The Original Cast is Back!
Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are back to voice the two star animals. Idris Elba is also back to provide the menacing voice of Chief Bogo. Even Tommy Lister, may he rest in peace, comes back from beyond the grave to reprise his role as Finnick.
Clawhauser, Duke Weaselton, Judy’s parents, Mr. Big, Fru Fru, Gazelle, Dawn Bellwether, even Yax are back.
We also get to see Fru Fru’s daughter, Little Judith, who is named after her GodMother, Judy. Yep, somehow I retained that tiny tidbit of information over the years and this baby shrew did not disappoint with her onscreen portrayal.
She is how I imagined her to be because of who her mother and grandfather are. She’s a spoiled little kid that still comes off as lovable and everyone tolerates her.
New Characters That Don’t Disappoint
Ke Huy Quan, who played Data, one of my favorite characters in the Goonies, appears onscreen as Gary De’Snake.
The Lynxley family had a great cast attached to it: David Strathairn, Brenda Song, and Macauley Culkin delivered some very good lines that convinced us how a family that wealthy communicates with each other without being over the top.
They’re just who they are without meaning to be different from the rest of society except their motives are a bit suspect due to their bid to remain in control.
Andy Samberg, as Pawbert also made you connect real well with his character as just someone who wants to prove that he belongs somewhere even if it’s wrong.
Ooohh…
I should stop…
All the stars came out to play Michael J. Fox (Michael J), John Leguizamo (Antony Snootley), Ed Sheeran (Ed Shearin), even Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, who is slated to appear in the live action film Moana, made a cameo as Zeke.
It’s an all star cast and I think it deserves that many stars voicing the many characters featured in the film because Zootopia 2 is predicted to follow the steps of the original film and should be one of the biggest earners for Walt Disney.
To date, Zootopia has earned over a billion dollars worldwide and is the fourth highest grossing film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Last but not least, I love how Danny Trejo’s character, Jesus, looks like. He is instantly recognizable especially after we hear him deliver his first few lines with that gravelly voice.
Ok That’s it!
I really don’t want to stop because there are so many things happening onscreen but I also don’t want to spoil it. So go watch it and have a foxin’ good time too!
Zootopia 2 will be showing in all SM Cinemas starting November 26, 2025 watch out for that date and hop to it!
