"The Art of Zootopia 2," from Chronicle Books
“Zootopia 2” zips by so quickly you might miss some of the best gags in the film.
Thanks to “The Art of Zootopia 2,” you can savor the signs, characters and locations that exist in the animal-heavy world.
Because the creation of the characters (Judy Hopps and Nick Wolfe in particular) was covered in the first “Art of” book, there’s no need to recap.
There are evolutions for newcomers like Gary DeSnake, but the volume is more fan-friendly than others.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde character page from "The Art of Zootopia 2"
It delves into the worlds of Zootopia and lets readers wander down the streets. There are closeups of the Marsh Market, the Lost Reptile District and the Weather Walls. You also get a great look at the Zootennial Gala and the bigwigs who populate it.
This is Zootopia at your speed.
Written by Kalikolehua Hurley, a senior manager at Disney, “The Art of Zootopia 2” doesn’t spill secrets (even though it introduces characters who could be guilty of many crimes), but it does let you live in the world and understand why Zootopia is a land in the Shanghai theme park.
The fun twists are everywhere: Ewe-Haul, Snooter Rooter, Gym Trunks and Elephant Ear-obics.
Details from a scene that didn't make it into the final cut of the film are showcased "The Art of Zootopia 2."
You get closeups of the characters, too, but this book doesn’t show the many iterations they went through before they became ones we see on screen.
Like other editions, this one lets the creators weigh in, but here the comments flesh out some of those ideas not the philosophy behind their art or color choices.
Production Designer Cory Loftis, for example, talks about the details of the Hog Rod he designed: “It’s got pig feet wheel walls, a tail, a snout radiator cover, a snout shifter cap, a nitrous ‘oinkxide’ tank and a plaid seat treatment that vaguely resembles bacon.”
Gazelle character page from "The Art of Zootopia 2"
Graphics show how businesses advertise: Amoose Bouche; Monsieur Crabe, Hik-o-Ree Chomps, Prawns Pawn Shop and Squid Ink Tattoos.
The directors write a foreword about the reason for a “Zootopia 2” and its celebration of the “tapestry of people, perspectives and experiences that go into every story we tell.”
The book is a great follow-up to the film. But you know there’ll be a “Zootopia 3” and, undoubtedly, an “Art of Zootopia 3.”
