The Zootopia 2 advance screening at the Trinoma Mall was a full-on immersive experience that delighted kids and their inner-child-accompanying adults alike. Interactive installations, hands-on activities, and the screening itself left everyone buzzing with excitement.

Nine years later, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back as rookie ZPD partners. A deadly snake in the mammal-only city triggers a new conspiracy, forcing them into mandatory counseling while they hunt the culprit.

The sequel sharpens everything that worked before: tighter mystery, bolder satire on inclusion and fear of the “other,” and non-stop animal puns that somehow keep landing. Animation is stunning especially the new reptile districts and the action set pieces pop. Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin remain perfect; new additions like Ke Huy Quan’s chameleon fit seamlessly.

It’s one of the funniest animated films in years, smart enough for adults, kinetic enough for kids. Minor drags in the therapy scenes and a slightly less shocking villain keep it from topping the original, but it comes close.

4/5 stars – Faster, funnier, and more confident. A worthy follow-up that proves the first wasn’t a fluke. Now showing only in cinemas.