Zootopia 2 is the long awaited sequel to Zootopia, a 2016 film exploring issues like trust among species and evil politicians. Ten years on, Zootopia 2 looks at issues among the animal kingdom such as learning to love all species and doing the right thing to make the world a better place.

Zootopia 2 is even more relevant now with the political situation regarding “others” more blatant now that it was 10 years ago.

Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who saved the world in the original movie, are back as the heroes in this one. These two are working on solving a crime involving smuggling when someone sees a snake. This is a big deal because reptiles of any kind have been forbidden from any of the citiy’s climate controlled areas. A whole entire species including snakes, turtles, lizards, and other reptiles are not welcome in Zootopia.

Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) is always threatening to break up this unlikely detective duo of fox and bunny, but the snake gives them a new clue to follow. They meet Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) who leads them through a series of exciting and beautifully illustrated adventures as they learn that mammals were not really the creators of Zootopia.

A funny beaver, Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), leads them to the forbidden land where the reptiles live. It’s called Marsh Market. There they learn that a family of lynxes led by Milton Lynxley (a fantastically evil David Strathairn) is a fake and a liar. Milton Lynxley has all the power and makes all the rules according to his whims.

Gary De’Snake takes them to meet a lizard in a cowboy hat, Jesús (Danny Trejo). Jesús tells them the whole story of how the reptiles became exiled from their own land and why they are not welcome there. It was because of an accident with a fang. Jesús says, “The fanging didn’t just change how folks saw snakes. No mammal trusted any reptile after that. That’s why we all left, and that’s when the Lynxleys expanded Tundratown the first time. And it’s happening again. The expansion is going here. Marsh Market will be buried in snow, we’ll all get pushed out, those lynxes will get more land, and there’s no way to stop ’em.” Oh, it’s all about money and power.

Jesús concludes with, “You two saved the city once. I reckon you can do it again and when you do, maybe everyone will see we ain’t that different.”

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde argue about what they should do. Can two insignificant people such as themselves do anything that will make a difference? Or is it hopeless to try to fight the Lynxley’s power? Judy argues that, “The world will never be a better place if no one’s willing to do the right thing.”

This is an animated Disney movie, so of course the two heroes save the day again. The species learn to love and appreciate each other and the world of Zootopia is set to rights again. The Gazelle (Shakira) leads everyone in a big song and dance number and we have our happy ending.

If you don’t watch children’s animated films, it’s worth watching this one. You’ll see so much there that is similar to what we are living in the real world. And it will give you a chance to talk to your children about the themes and topics. The animals have something to tell you.

The film is streaming on Disney+.