“Zootopia 2” doesn’t mess with backstories or “six months later” time jumps.
It leaps into a new case for officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde and never takes its paws off the pedal.
This time out, the two are ordered to attend a “partners in crisis” workshop and are told their attention-grabbing careers have been put on pause, which means they won’t be able to work the big Zootopia Gala. That doesn’t stop them, however, and soon they learn there’s a snake that could be infiltrating the town.
Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, left, and Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, appear in a scene from "Zootopia 2."
While directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard don’t bring Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) into the story right away, the reptile does have an impact. There are weather walls that keep Zootopia in check and serve as a source of pride for the Lynxley family — rich overlords who aren’t afraid to flex their power.
While the story has a density not seen in most animated films, it doesn’t skimp on those extras that make second and third viewings necessary.
Bush, who also wrote the screenplay, makes sure there are plenty of plays on words around the town. Favorites (like Flash the sloth and Gazelle the hit singer) are here, but the contributions from a beaver named Nibbles (Fortune Feimster) and the horse mayor (Patrick Warburton) don’t leave much room for others. Still, there are a host of contributions from big names that ensure this is a “next step” for the folks of Zootopia.
Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman (as Judy and Nick) suffer the most because Bush is so eager to get new faces in. Even the Lynxleys (Macauley Culkin and Andy Samberg among them) don’t get as much to do as they should.
Because Gary makes a big impression, it’s likely he’ll be a big force in the inevitable “Zootopia 3.” He’s hissssssssterical.
He’s also part of the subtle message about the rich and powerful and how they might not be working in the best interests of the populace. Controlling politicians figures in here, too.
But watching the folks of Zootopia interact is like visiting a theme park. Just when you’re near the head of ride line, a parade breaks out. Both are musts.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "Song sung Blue"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Lee Enterprises' entertainment reporter, says that "Song Sung Blue" is just the present we need this Christmas.
Movies in a Minute: "Wake Up Dead Man"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Lee Enterprises' entertainment reporter, says that "Wake Up Dead Man" is one of the best of Netflix's "Knives Out" whodunits.
Movies in a Minute: "Hamnet"
UpdatedIs "Hamnet" a drama or a romance or a comedy or a mystery? "Yes," says Lee Enterprises entertainment reporter Bruce Miller.
Movies in a Minute: "Rental Family"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Lee Enterprises entertainment reporter, says "Rental Family" is a keeper.
Movies in a Minute: "Wicked: For Good"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Lee Enterprises' entertainment reporter, says that "Wicked: For Good" lets Ariana Grande come out of her co-stars' shadows.
Movies in a Minute: "The Running Man"
Bruce Miller, Lee Enterprises' entertainment reporter, says that someday Glen Powell will do a great action/adventure film. But right now, "The Running Man" is just a warm-up.
Movies in a Minute: "Nuremberg"
UpdatedIn a season filled with "must see" movies, Lee Enterprises entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Nuremberg" is a fascinating, must see character study.
Movies in a Minute: "Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues"
UpdatedDoes this sequel to the pioneering mock-umentary "This is Spinal Tap" turn it up to 11? Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says...
Movies in a Minute: "Caught Stealing"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Caught Stealing" is a pretty solid hit that features a scene stealing cat.
Movies in a Minute: "The Roses"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "The Roses" strikes out with three misses - miscast, misdirected and misguided.
Movies in a Minute: "Honey Don't"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Honey Don't" is a quirky film in which Margaret Qualley rules a hive of activity.
Movies in a Minute: "Nobody 2"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Nobody 2" has few words, but lots of action.
Movies in a Minute: "Weapons"
Updated"Weapons," a whodunit horror film, is pretty darn good according to Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller.
Movies in a Minute: "The Naked Gun"
UpdatedHankering for a stupid movie? Bruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "The Naked Gun" isn't that film.
Movies in a Minute: "The Fantastic Four: First Steps""
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" may just be the Fantastic Four movie that keeps the franchise going.
Movies in a Minute: "I Know What You Did Last Summer"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "I Know What You Did Last Summer" is a nice chance to see Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprise their roles from the 1997 original. But otherwise, the new addition falls short.
Movies in a Minute: "Superman"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Superman" finds new life where you least expect it.
Movies in a Minute: "Jurassic World Rebirth"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Jurassic World Rebirth" is still humans running from dinosaurs in order to make billionaires even richer.
Movies in a Minute: "F1"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "F1" is a Pitt stop you won't want to miss.
Movies in a Minute: "28 Years Ago"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "28 Years Later" is much more than a zombie film; it's the film that launches Alfie William's acting career.
Movies in a Minute: "Materialists"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Materialists" had potential with its great cast, but its plot comes up short.
Movies in a Minute: "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina," isn't fancy, but it does get the job done.
Movies in a Minute: "Karate Kid: Legends"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Karate Kid: Legends" is necessarily bad, just unnecessary.
Movies in a Minute: "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning "
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" is a decent summer action film showing there's still life in an old franchise.
Movies in a Minute: "Nonnas"
UpdatedWhile the premise may be a little underbaked, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says "Noonas" lets Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire and Susan Sarandon get cooking.
Movies in a Minute: "Fight or Flight"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment, editor says "Fight or Flight" is so full of stunts, it reminds of action films that starred Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt and Sandra Bulllock.
Movies in a Minute: "Thunderbolts*"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment editor, says Florence Pugh's acting in "Thunderbolts*" is forceful and keeps the action moving along.
Movies in a Minute: "The Accountant 2"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment editor Bruce Miller says that although "The Accountant 2" is a good buddy film, this sequel could use an audit.
Movies in a Minute: "Sinners"
Updated"Sinners" is a wild ride according to Bruce Miller, the Sioux City Journal's entertainment reporter. Filmmakers Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have created an unstoppable movie.
Movies in a Minute: "Warfare"
Updated"Warfare" is gritty and disturbing. It also one of the best films of the year according to Sioux City Journal movie critic Bruce Miller.
Movies in a Minute: "A Minecraft Movie"
UpdatedWill this movie please you? Or, will it annoy you? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that could very much depend on what generation you are.
Movies in a Minute: "Death of a Unicorn"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says pitting unicorns against humans is a pretty dicey proposition.
Movies in a Minute: "Snow White"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says the live-action version of Disney's classic "Snow White" echos the original, but doesn't do it justice.
Movies in a Minute: "Novocaine"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that in "Novocaine," Jack Quade's lack of pain is your gain.
Movies in a Minute: "Mickey 17"
UpdatedSioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says "Mickey 17" director Bong Joon Ho skates on the edge of Stanley Kubrick's best work.
Movies in a Minute: "Flow"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Flow" proves that a film doesn't have to have dialog to tell a brilliant story. The film won the Academy Award for best animated feature.
Movies in a Minute: "Last Breath"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Last Breath" is like few rescue films today.
Movies in a Minute: "Captain America Brave New World"
UpdatedIs "Captain America Brave New World" a decent film? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says that while Anthony Mackie is a fine replacement for Chris Evans, the movie itself is too muddled.
Movies in a Minute: "Heart Eyes"
UpdatedIs "Heart Eyes" a horror movie or is it a romance flick? Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter Bruce Miller says the film wasn't faithful to either genre.
Movies in a Minute: "Flight Risk"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, wouldn't call "Flight Risk" the worst movie of the year, but......
Movies in a Minute: This Oscar season, musicals are "pop u lar!"
UpdatedBruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says this year two musicals have been nominated for Best Picture - the first time that has happened in 60 years.
Movies in a Minute: "Wolf Man"
UpdatedIs it possible to fight off a monster with a kitchen knife, in a desolate place with no cell service? And in the DARK???? Well...... maybe, or maybe not. In "Wolf Man," Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter says the folks being stalked do everything wrong.
Movies in a Minute: "Better Man"
UpdatedFor a movie featuring a primate as a rock star, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter says "Better Man" doesn't monkey around.
Movies in a Minute: "Babygirl"
UpdatedWhat happens when the intern hits on the boss? Bruce Miller, Sioux City Journal entertainment reporter, says "Babygirl" may hold the answer.
