Disney and Pixar sequels used to be automatically dismissed as cash cows, but families fell for them anyway. That held truest in the direct-to-video era, when even a peek into Pocahontas’ married life felt warranted. Toy Story 2 was the first welcome exception, when it proved itself cinema-worthy in 1999 and was even dubbed superior to the landmark first. Lo and behold, we have a fifth coming up, when we thought the fourth already wrapped it up. Hey, better that than another “live action” attempt.  

It’s been a while since we first visited Zootopia, that whimsical anthropomorphic town that only semi-lived up to its name. That’s where the cotton-tailed Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) first joined forces with the foxy Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to solve the case of vanishing carnivores. That one had quite of a twist and that was probably the cuddliest Disney villain ever. But the fact that first outing only featured mammals meant there was still a wider world to explore. True enough, the menagerie is expanded nine years later. Now, it’s time to meet the reptiles.

After discovering evidence of snakes, Judy tries to convince everyone to no avail. That is, until she and Nick attend the city’s centennial gala hosted by the founding clan, the Lynxleys, where the patriarch (David Strathairn) is abducted by a pit viper named Gary (Ke Huy Quan). The kidnapping is foiled, and turns out, the snake only wishes to clear his species’ name. Nonetheless, Judy and Nick are accused of being his accomplices. 

Despite now being fugitives, the pair still pursue the case. Joining their quest are conspiracy theorist beaver Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) and, curiously, the Lynxley runt, Pawbert (Andy Samberg). During the chase, it’s discovered that cold-blooded critters once, in fact, lived in town, thus revealing its darker past. Expectedly, the pandemonium escalates, and so does the fun. And, again, never have an animated rabbit and animated fox displayed so much chemistry.

Familiar furry faces return, including Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), the cops’ African buffalo of a boss, Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche), a Vito Corleone-esque shrew, and Gazelle (Shakira), the aptly-named pop star who supplies the soundtrack. Notably joining the herd, or whatever animal collectivity you deem apply, are a quokka psychotherapist (Quinta Bronson), a Latino plumed basilisk (Danny Trejo), and the vain Brian Winddancer, a stallion who succeeds Leodore Lionheart as city mayor (Patrick Warburton, hilarious as usual). More voice cameos, in-jokes, and pop culture references abound and you got a sequel that captures, if not enhances, the original’s spirit. And, knowing that there’s more to the animal kingdom than fur and scales, we’re clearly up for more. Let’s just hope we don’t wait another decade.