Zootopia 2 (in theaters)

If you liked Zootopia the first time around, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this return visit. 

“Zootopia 2” is a solidly enjoyable sequel to the original, full of good world building and interesting adventure. Judy and Nick are just like you remember them, getting in trouble and saving the city, and new cast members keep things interesting. Their relationship is also developing, as well as their understanding of the city, and you can see both grow over the course of the film. There are thematic similarities to the original, some of which might read darker to audiences, but there are also plenty of fun, lighter moments. 

The movie starts soon after the first one ends, with the newly minted police partnership rushing headlong into their first assignment. Unfortunately, they forgot to check with Chief Bogo, and soon the duo are framed for a theft and an attack. The two go on the run, trying to clear their names, work on their communication skills, and uncover the dark secret behind the city they both know and love. 

There are nice moments with a few beloved faces from the original, particularly Clawhauser and Flash the speed-obsesses sloth. Judy and Nick get the bulk of the story, however, particularly the development of their growing dynamic. It’s not an easy road, but the end is definitely worthwhile. 

Among the new faces, the best character is Ke Huy Quan’s Gary De’Snake. Quan convinces you of his sweetness from the first moment, and his earnestness is key to selling the new twist on the city’s backstory. 

And, with the hint of a threequel in the credits scene, he’s another face we can hope to visit again. 

Grade: Three stars 

In Your Dreams (Netflix)

Turns out it is possible to make animated movies that aren’t sequels or based off of pre-existing IPs.

“In Your Dreams,” a sweet, magical sibling adventure, is proof of that. It’s a straightforward story coming in at under 90 minutes, but it still has plenty of time to show off some creativity, humor, and a big emotional heart. There’s also a nice message or two about families, integrated into the story well enough not to feel preachy. The movie is definitely aimed more at kids and parents than a general adult audience, but there’s also plenty here to enjoy for those of us who are kids at heart. 

The movie focuses on a 12-year-old girl who has realized her parents’ marriage is struggling. Determined to keep the family together, she and her little brother find a mysterious book and set off on an adventure to find the Sandman. As they travel through the world of dreams, however, they realize the truth is far more complicated than they could have imagined. 

The voice acting cast is small but excellent. Elias Janssen is charming as the little brother, and Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti are sweet but sad as the parents. Craig Robinson (voicing a stuffed animal friend) can be a bit annoying at times, but he can also manage to be quite funny. 

A lot of critics have read the movie’s message as being against fantasy, but a more accurate description is that real is better than perfect. That’s a message all of us could stand hearing, particularly when it comes to our families.

And hey, if a talking giraffe gets involved, that’s just a little bit of magic. 

Grade: Three stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Denver Film Critics Society and the Utah Film Critics Association. Drop her a line at [email protected].

Credit for photo ©Disney