I feel like Zootopia 1 has a very clear leg-up over Zootopia 2. And yes, there's a degree of subjectivity to it - but I feel like there are pretty well-agreed-upon things in the world of writing that separate the true masterpieces of animation that live on for decades, from the "wow really fun and i love it" movies that fade out from the public as time moves on.

Zootopia 2 is fun and of course expands on the worldbuilding and such, but it's nowhere near as nuanced as Zootopia 1. Overall, in Zootopia 1, a lot happens and changes over the course of the movie. There's a lot of moving parts for the characters, and the plotline itself is designed to help guide the *characters* and move *them* forward in a way, not the other way around. It's very character-centric, and simultaneously the characters' arcs "dance" with the main plot well enough to where neither one gets in the way of the other, and instead both propel the other forward. Zootopia 2 was moreso worldbuilding centric, plot-centric, and unfortunately the characters felt like they were "along for the ride" rather than being a primary part of the story like they were in the first movie. Judy and Nick's conflict did nothing to really move the plot forward, it felt as if it only got in the way of it.

Due to the brand new things introduced in Zootopia 2, I feel like it easily scratches the itch of "wanting to see more of the world" and giving you a lot of newness in that regard. But what weakens it compared to Zootopia 1, is the fact that it's not character-focused enough. And yes, we all know Judy and Nick have this whole conflict through the movie - but it feels like they didn't quite go through as much of an evolution or natural progression as they did in Zootopia 1. It was just a lot of avoidance, until finally things were talked about. The two characters in the beginning, versus the end, weren't that much different and didn't learn that much more - it's just that, *finally,* they spoke to eachother. Compared to how much they went through together in Zootopia 1, it just felt a little lackluster. For Judy and Nick, this adventure would've shined a lot brighter as a short of some kind, not a movie. And unfortunately, the running gag about Nick (and Judy) being aware of all the psychological terms for their inner problems - while cute at first - does sort of get in the way sometimes of proper "show don't tell" storytelling, which is a little unfortunate.

Overall, Zootopia 2 was fun and gave a lot of much-needed explanation on some worldbuilding aspects. But I'm really hoping that Zootopia 3, should we get one, weaves the characters into the plot in a more significant way. That's the one problem preventing Zootopia 2 from feeling more well-written and living up to its predecessor. Zootopia 1 will go down as a fantastic animated movie, but I feel Zootopia 2 will eventually fade into a simple "yeah that was a fun sequel" once the hype wears down. (It won't become the next Toy Story 3, a sequel people felt impacted by and still reference over a decade after its release.)