A sequel that may be even better to the original

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

Back in November, “Zootopia 2,” the sequel to the popular Disney film “Zootopia,” came out in theaters. Rachel, one of the Ink’s reporters, and I went to see it the day it premiered, and I think we can both agree that it lived up to the original.

If not just lived up to the original, I believe it might even be better, which is surprising for any sequel. I first saw the original “Zootopia” back in 2016, when I was eight years old. It took a minute, but after my long-lived “Frozen” phase (as I’m sure many 2008 babies can unfortunately relate to), “Zootopia” soon became my favorite Disney movie. I loved the constant attention to detail. The fact that you can watch this movie over and over again and notice something new each time is really special.

The storyline of “Zootopia” was quite adorable as well. It follows Judy Hopps, a rabbit from the ever-growing Bunnyburrow, who has dreamed since childhood of becoming a police officer. She is constantly doubted and discouraged by family and friends, who believe the job is meant only for bigger, stronger mammals. However, she doesn’t let that deter her, and she soon becomes the first bunny to join the ZPD (Zootopia Police Department). On her first day on the job, she is disappointed to be assigned parking duty. Determined to prove herself, Judy jumps at the opportunity to solve a missing mammal case, which she must investigate alongside Nick Wilde, a sly fox and con artist.

All of this is important to understand before explaining the sequel. “Zootopia 2,” while released nine years after the original, actually takes place only a week after Nick and Judy’s first case. They end up as partners on the police force and soon find themselves involved in another investigation, that they once again were not officially assigned to. A reptile has been spotted in the mammal city of Zootopia, stirring havoc and concern among its residents. However, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

The storyline in this film, like the original, is full of even more details, and I loved every second of it. But the highlight of the film for me was my favorite character, the fox Nick Wilde. Anyone who watched the original knows and loves this character. He is sly, sassy, charming and hilarious – exactly how you might imagine a fox to be. However, he is even funnier in Zootopia 2, and his character development is much more evident.

Nick starts off as a cynical con artist who believes he has little worth. Through his partnership and friendship with Judy, he begins to let his guard down, learn how to trust, and realize that he is more than just a stereotypical fox. He embraces this vulnerability, which leads to some great moments toward the end of the movie, where he finally finds his “pack” – his place – by being Judy’s partner.

Overall, “Zootopia 2” is an amazing movie that is enjoyable for both adults and kids alike. I would definitely recommend it to any Disney fan or to families looking for a movie to enjoy together. I give it a top rating of nine-out-of-ten stars.

‘Demon Hunters’ suffers from its Hallmark treatment

By Ethan Sprouse | Manor Ink

Way back in June of last year, we had a smash hit movie called “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” The animated feature was a short-and-sweet 96-minute movie about a K-Pop (for Korean popular music) group who sing during the day and fight demons at night. Naturally, the movie is for children and is a musical, but it also has a hidden element buried deep within that younger audiences may not pick up on.

The plot follows protagonist Rumi and her two huntress teammates, Mira and Zoey, along with the antagonist group, the Saja boys, led by Jinu, in a heartwarming story of shame, love and acceptance. I love this movie for its shocking emotional intelligence and the way it can touch your heart if you dig deep enough into the symbolism.

Unfortunately, not everything is amazing, as the visual design in my opinion is a bit of a drawback. Many people are in love with it, but the overly cartoony characters and simple graphics are really distracting at times, and can make it hard to focus on the stories. There is also a very childish romance plot that feels like watching a Hallmark movie written for toddlers, and the huntresses act like their job is a joke. The Saja Boys aren’t intimidating in the slightest, and there is never really a sense of urgency, just second-hand embarrassment.

If I were to rewrite this movie’s story, I would plot it a bit more maturely. It likely would have been rated PG-13, and there would be realistic tension. The romance would be a little more intense while still being appropriate, and the combat could be a bit more graphic. The big reveal at the end would have more of a buildup, and the end would have a teaser for a sequel.

However, I am very much not a movie screenplay writer and these are just loose suggestions for the already announced sequel. But for the current “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” my final rating is a middling six-out-of-ten stars.