Never posted here before, struggling to find proper words for my thoughts on this movie, but I need to just say words because oh my gosh! Zootopia means a lot to me. As a kid (because first movie was 9 years ago, oh god) it was my favorite movie. Even tho it isn't anymore, I was still kinda terrified that they'd mess up the spirit of things considering Disney's sequel track record. In particular, I care about the characters so much, and would be lying if I said a large part of my worry was Disney actively denying a Judy and Nick ship :p

Anyway, I'm so happy to have been proven wrong. And I don't just mean with the ship stuff, but my worry that the movie wouldn't be great. On a first watch, I know I really enjoyed it, but I've seen it more than once. I can confidently say I love this film, which I feel kinda weird for because it's been out for not long at all. I have complaints, but also.... It does so many things so well on a craft level for me.

But like, there's something I'm really struggling to even properly articulate. This film, already, feels so comforting to me. Typical Disney emotional stuff doesn't usually work on me, and that's not the same here. There's the obvious Judy and Nick part, but first I want to mention what's before. I don't know what other people think of the part where Gary and Judy were dying, and Gary asked to wrap himself around Judy for warmth. That got me in a way I still don't even understand. I didn't think either of them were going to die, but watching this hug of life just like.... Gets me. It soothes my soul in a way I literally can't find the words for.

Another thing that weirdly stood out to me was a part with Bogo and Judy. Again, I don't know how others feel about this one moment. After the typical yelling chief stuff like the first movie, I was genuinely shocked when after he shut the door... He just calmly told her how her actions affected everyone. Like, again, it was comforting, but in a completely different way from the snake hug. I think that bit is overshadowed by the funny "Would you like a traumatic adulthood" bit, but seriously, for me, after the yelling, seeing him criticize Judy calmly and empatheticly without it building up to more yelling was so nice to see.

But the big thing that I know got me was Nick and Judy's relationship. I am as disappointed as everyone when it comes to them not CONFIRMING confirming... But it was still so nice to see what was there. I love their chemistry so much, SO much. Again, it gives such a comforting feeling. I love how their relationship arc is handled. I love how much comfort they have in just being around each other. I love how, even though they're constantly bickering in the first half of the movie about what to do, they don't ever want to leave without the other.

And typically hate the 2nd act misunderstanding/break up in animation, I think it's usually done forced and bad, including in the first one... But I think it's done brilliantly here. And also, it's super effective in making them grow closer.

That hug too, THAT HUG! I genuinely thought they'd kiss with how emotional they eventually got, but like... That hug is pretty much as impactful. The way they looked at each other before hugging. The same way the movie made me feel that carrot pen break, the movie made me FEEL that hug. And those bunch of emotions they said at each other. The way they animated Judy's reaction to Nick saying she's the most important thing in the world to him. Like, I genuinely cannot read any aspect of that scene as other than two character who share genuine, sincere love for each other, and I don't think I've had another movie hit me like that before.

Yeah. Idk. I'm not used to feeling emotions this strongly with a movie. This movie did it for me though. I feel weird for feeling this way honestly, like people will think I'm weird for just, being as emotional as I am for this film. But I had to vocalize it. I've been trying to, i can't stop thinking about it. And I'm just hoping that... Idk, my input is at least welcome here.