"Zootopia 2": Return to Zootopia, deepen the allegory and expand the world's ambitious work

When Disney Animation Studios announced that it would release a sequel to Zootopia, the expectations of fans around the world were raised to an unprecedented level. In 2016, Zootopia, which is set in a mammal metropolis and cleverly integrates criminal suspense, social irony and inspirational warmth, was born. It not only swept the global box office, but also became a place in the history of animation with the spiritual core of "trying everything" and the profound proposition of "prejudice is everywhere".. Today, the return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, the gold medal partners, is not only a reunion of classic characters, but also a brave mapping of the more complex picture of contemporary society.

The first review: the fable of a city and an era

Looking back on Zootopia, its success is much more than exquisite character design and smooth narrative. The film builds a modern animal city with amazing details. From the exclusive passages for small rodents to the cold environment provided by Glacier Town for polar bears, every corner is full of ingenious settings based on biological characteristics. However, the real charm of this city is that it is like a miniature model of a pluralistic society.

"Zootopia" classic poster (Image source: Disney official)

The protagonist Judy, a rabbit from the countryside, dreams of becoming a police officer, but is questioned because of her size and species. Nick, a seemingly cynical fox, actually hides his true self because of the prejudice he suffered in his childhood. Their partnership, from the initial mutual distrust to the final mutual achievement, perfectly interprets the core theme of breaking stereotypes. Through the "Midnight Howl" case, the film peels off a seemingly harmonious society's hidden rift. The conspiracy it finally reveals - using innate biological characteristics to create panic and antagonism - directly refers to the discrimination based on race, origin and gender in the real world. Its depth and courage are rare in Hejiahuan animation. .

"The great thing about Zootopia is that it allows both adults and children to be satisfied at their own level of understanding," animation critic Li Jing once commented. "Children see interesting animal worlds and adventure stories, while adults see sharp allegories about prejudice, class and politics."

Prospects for the sequel: Seeking breakthroughs in inheritance

The challenges faced by Zootopia 2 are self-evident because of the high intention of the previous work. According to the released trailer and the interview with the production team, the sequel is not satisfied with the success of simple copying, but tries to turn the perspective to a broader social dimension on the basis of retaining the core charm.

The concept map of the new character of Zootopia 2 (Image source: Disney trailer screenshot)

It is reported that the new story will revolve around the increasingly tense relationship between different administrative regions in Animal City. When a new mysterious phenomenon caused the ecological environment in some areas to begin to be disordered (for example, the glacier area warmed up inexplicably and the rainstorm in Sahara Square), Judy and Nick were entrusted with the heavy responsibility of exploring the truth behind it. This crisis not only tests their ability to handle cases, but also challenges the "separated" social structure on which the entire animal city depends.

Several key new characters will be introduced in the new work, including a tough buffalo police officer from a remote "swamp town", and a sheep CEO with a mysterious background in the science and technology industry. The setting of these roles will undoubtedly deepen the discussion on the gap between urban and rural areas, scientific and technological ethics and capital power.

Technological innovation and narrative deepening

At the technical level, Disney Animation Studio promises to break through the visual limit again. The rendering technology of hair is more refined, which can show the real texture under different humidity and light; the scale and details of the city have also been expanded epically, and the audience will have the opportunity to deeply explore the rainforests and desert areas that were only glimpsed before.

However, the biggest suspense is: can the sequel achieve the same "up-dimensionality" on the theme? The previous work focuses on individual confrontation with prejudice, while the sequel seems to be intended to explore systematic and structural social contradictions. This is undoubtedly a more ambitious narrative adventure.

"We want to answer a question to the audience: when Judy and Nick prove that 'anyone can become anything', how should the city they guard evolve?" Producer Clark Spencer revealed in an interview, "Zootopia 2 is a story about 'reconciliation' and 'symbiosis'. It explores how a community can continue to move forward on the basis of recognizing differences and even differences."

Film Review: The Vitality of Fables and the Echo of the Times

The expectation of Zootopia 2 has long surpassed an ordinary animated sequel. In today's world, cultural exchanges and distance coexist, and identity and political issues are increasingly complex. Animal Topia, a seemingly utopian world, has become the best mirror image for us to reflect on reality.

The previous work takes "inclusiveness" as the core, while the sequel seems to be bravely moving towards the more difficult proposition of "integration". It not only needs to continue the chemistry between Judy and Nick, but also needs to build a more convincing solution to deal with the intertwined systematic issues in the fictional world (and even the real world).

As the chief director Byron Howard said, "We don't want to preach, we just want to tell a wonderful story. But if this story can make the audience think more about the world they live in after walking out of the theater, it will be our greatest success.

The arrival of Zootopia 2 is like a door of fantasy that opens again. When animation is no longer just entertainment, but becomes a profound cultural dialogue, it proves the infinite possibilities of this art form. This sequel may not only be a gift for children, but also a mirror for adults in this era, reflecting our difficulties, challenges and unquenchable hopes.