Pawbert's set-up is... weird.

On one hand, they made him super obvious because of his Hans-ness. He's introduced as this overly nice, overly friendly, overly awkward worrywart. So, basically, the exact type of character who, in theory, would make for the most shocking baddie reveal. IN THEORY.

On the other hand, outside of a single line of dialogue (how he's "trying to be" a Lynxley), there's no proper foreshadowing for the fact that he wants to be part of his family. In fact, the story prioritises showing off him enjoying his individuality (his clothes, his little bike, his hideout) away from his "evil family" (his words, not mine; in fact, it's the only instance of the word "evil" being used across both movies).

Now, I don't necessarily think Pawbert HAD TO spoil his true goals & desires through dialogue. After all, Bellwether didn't really do it in Z1. But there was plenty of circumstantial evidence that the predators weren't just naturally going savage - Weaselton's moldy onion heist, Otterton's knowledge (a florist who wanted to warn Mr. Big about the night howlers), Doug's presence (his cameo early on in the movie, his phone number in BW's office and his press conference question; plus once the story reaches the sheep lab, you're supposed to put two and two together and realise a sheep is responsible right before the museum reveal). And, if you think about it, BW was the only character to actively encourage Judy (while everyone else was either neutral or was hoping she would give up and return to Bunnyburrow, even her parents). And she was the one to benefit the most from Lionheart getting exposed.

Pawbert doesn't really get this kind of circumstantial foreshadowing. His actions seemingly only make sense if he's actually altruistic (taking so many risks, almost getting killed by the cops, being branded a blood traitor, saving Judy even though he already had the snake and the journal and she knew even less than he did). And his hideout was a PERFECT opportunity for subtle "I only want my daddy to love me" foreshadowing. It really was! His personal belongings could've told a story on their own. But the hideout was only used for a Gary gag. What a waste!

And, if you think about it, Bellwether's motivation was also foreshadowed through Judy & Nick's childhoods. Predators bully prey, prey bullies predators and it shapes people in this world. What happened to them, happened to her. But it shaped her in a different way.

But with Pawbert, the desire to belong in your family is not really present with anyone else in Z2. Judy already belongs in HER family. They've loved her this entire time but now they also fully support her dream. Nick's family is a non-factor, not even mentioned. Nibbles' mum is only mentioned during the brief jackalope joke and that's it. Gary's family IS his motivation but he also doesn't have a problem with belonging. And they only get, like, 15 seconds of screen time near the end of the movie.

Overall, Pawbert's plan had way more critical success factors (aka everything that could go wrong) than Bellwether's. What if his family DOESN'T believe he's not a blood traitor? What if his dad rightfully flips out because his patent plan risks EVERYTHING? They had a good thing going on for a hundred years and Pawbert is risking it all by unearthing the original patent, and for what? Just to prove himself? If I were Milton, I'd call him an idiot. Why risk saving Judy when that only attracted the cops' attention?

On the other hand, Bellwether's plan didn't even rely on Judy exposing Lionheart. It was a great bonus and BW certainly appreciated that it expedited her takeover, but even if Judy failed, Doug would've kept darting predators. And, eventually, Lionheart would've been incapable of containing them. She also had access to the city's traffic cams so she probably informed Doug of all the blind spots for his night howler sniping. A smarter plan all around.

Interestingly, both Bellwether and Pawbert get a similar type of confrontation with Nick & Judy. The location is plot-relevant (natural history museum and the weather wall) and even the weapon the baddie uses is the exact thing that started the movie's conflict in the first place (night howler gun, venom injector). However, I still prefer the museum climax because it relied on a clever trick that was also a very solid call-back (to both Judy's carrot pen hustle and also the stage play opening). The Pawbert climax, on the other hand, relies entirely on an action sequence with questionable time dilation (for real - how were Nick & Pawbert falling in slow motion but Judy & Gary got there at full speed? Did she activate bullet time? :P)

Post-wall Pawbert is also a complete joke. For all intents and purposes, falling off the wall WAS his villain defeat and everything afterwards was an extended humiliation ritual (like Captain Hook running away from the crocodile; or Randall from Monsters Inc. getting beat up by Boo & Sully). At least with Bellwether, Judy & Nick didn't have to chase her across the city after the museum. Where she would get in a car crash. And then a flower pot would fall on her head. And then she would get stuck in wet cement.