NECA has unveiled series 2 of its Chucky Blind Box figures, featuring Poster Chucky, Thanksgiving Chucky, “Good Guy” Tommy, and Busted-Up Tommy from the 1988 film Child’s Play 2, as well as Laughing Chucky, Old Chucky, and Tiffany from the Syfy series Chucky. Check out the promotional images here… Ready to play? Fresh from the NECA Play Pals production line is a brand-new collection of Chucky blind box figures poised to take over your shelf! Wave 2 presents a fun and mischievous assortment from the classic 1988 movie Child’s Play 2 and the popular TV series Chucky! From Child’s Play 2, you’ll find: Poster Chucky, Thanksgiving Chucky, “Good Guy” Tommy, and Busted-Up Tommy. From the TV show, there are: Laughing Chucky, Old Chucky, and Tiffany with a fabric skirt! Each fully articulated action figure comes in “Good Guy” packaging, with some including screen-accurate accessories. For added horror enjoyment, you can swap their heads, hands, and accessories with most NECA Ultimate Chucky action figures (sold separately). Collect all seven, and Chucky will be your companion until the end!

      Zootopia 2, 2025

      Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard

      Featuring the voice talents of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Shakira, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, and Quinta Brunson.

      SYNOPSIS:

      The determined rabbit officer Judy Hopps collaborates once again with her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, to tackle a new case—one that is both dangerous and complex, marking a pivotal moment in their careers.

      Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard’s Zootopia 2 further develops the titular universe, providing rookie cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) with a challenging investigation that tests their friendship and teamwork. The energetic Judy, eager to prove herself to her family, friends, and colleagues who doubt her capabilities, frequently disregards orders, persuading the laid-back Nick to embark on investigations beyond their authority. She suspects something suspicious is afoot concerning the re-emergence of reptiles, led by Gary De’Snake (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), linked to a century-old artifact book about Zootopia authored by the wealthy Lynxley patriarch.

      While avoiding too many spoilers, this sequel, once again scripted by Jared Bush, employs the animal utopia to delve into issues such as racial dynamics and stereotypes, with a heightened emphasis this time on the theme of stolen land. It is also highly entertaining, skillfully generating humorous gags and puns involving various species that feel authentic. Additionally, there are some clever references to Disney animation, including one connected to Ratatouille.

      The film showcases a diverse array of animals, from podcasting creatures to pop star gazelles, along with oblivious horse mayors, cowboy-esque lizards, and dubious cats and Ze-bros (portrayed by professional wrestlers Roman Reigns and CM Punk), contributing to a richly populated world that feels more developed than many recent mainstream animated films. This doesn’t imply that quantity trumps quality, as the narrative also addresses significant contemporary themes rather than solely aiming to entertain both younger and older audiences.

      However, Judy becomes concerned that the book, which harbors an enigmatic secret, is at risk of being stolen by a snake. This raises questions: Why have reptiles remained absent from Zootopia for almost a century, and what has prompted their return now? As the plot intensifies and propels Judy and Nick (who prefers staying home to watch TV, skeptical that police efforts can genuinely foster a happier, more inclusive world) into uncharted territories, including a marsh, they find themselves in increasing danger. Nonetheless, after an initial encounter with Gary, it becomes evident that the violent narratives surrounding snakes are unfounded, as he seeks to clear his family's name in relation to past events when reptiles thrived in the city. Gary is also supported by Pawbert, a younger cat from the Lynxley clan (voiced by Andy Samberg), who is eager to prove that he is different from his father (voiced by David Strathairn).

      Even if the exchanges between Judy and Nick occasionally become predictable (with Nick resisting the case for reasons beyond mere laziness and cynicism), Zootopia 2 maintains a brisk pace, moving energetically from scene to scene, each introducing a variety of new characters who provide comic relief or emotional depth. There is also a genuine twist in the mystery, resulting in an exciting and visually stunning journey through Zootopia.

      Once again, the emotional core of the relationship between fox and rabbit shines through, enhanced by heartfelt voice performances that underscore the importance of celebrating both differences and similarities. While it doesn’t quite reach the outstanding heights of its remarkable predecessor, Zootopia 2 consistently grasps the elements that made the first film successful, successfully mirroring much of its humor and emotion, all within beautifully detailed animation.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder