That “Zootopia 2” is as fresh, funny and densely packed as the first film feels like a miracle, but the truth is that there’s nothing miraculous about it: it’s just made by humans who put a lot of heart, humor and a whole lot of movie references into this long-awaited sequel.

It’s been nine years since “Zootopia” charmed audiences (and won an Oscar), and the bright, brash sequel proves this buddy cop action comedy procedural featuring an ensemble of wild animals still has the juice. We’d watch mismatched crime-fighting partners Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) solve all manner of crimes-of-the-week, Columbo-style.

The reason it works so well isn’t necessarily the crimes or mysteries, but the world-building and characters. Writer/director Jared Bush (who co-directed with Bryon Howard), fills the world of Zootopia, a strange and magical world where all animals can live together thanks to a series of innovative “weather walls,” with smart, witty, fast-talking creatures, visual jokes and puns as far as the eye can see, and delivers a wildly compelling pair of characters to follow on this madcap corruption-busting quest.

Nick is the “dirtbag fox”; Judy the “dumb bunny,” but in actuality, she’s a clever rabbit and he’s a fiercely loyal pack animal. The key to their appeal is the Mulder and Scully “will they or won’t they” tension between them, even though they’re a pair of interspecies cartoon animals. Bateman infuses Nick with rakish charm and a deep sense of cynicism; he needs Judy’s sense of altruism and commitment to justice for motivation, just as she needs his street smarts and pragmatism to get her out of jams.

In their last adventure, they ousted Mayor Bellwether (Jenny Slate), and in “Zootopia 2,” they’re going deeper into the dark history of Zootopia, thanks to a zootennial celebration. While chasing down a tip about a customs official, they uncover a plot to steal a historical journal that details the invention of the weather walls. But as they learn more about the history of Zootopia, they discover the real reason why reptiles and snakes were banished and sent underground, and new plans by wealthy developers, the Lynxley family, to displace communities of animals while expanding their chilly Tundraland.

An urban planning political thriller — Bush must have been reading “The Power Broker,” Robert Caro’s biography of New York City urban planner Robert Moses, while penning the script for “Zootopia 2.” Not only does it address the ways in which policies can be manipulated and weaponized in order to oppress certain communities deemed undesirable or smeared as dangerous, the film is also a timely rebuke of billionaire influence on politics, a lesson that can’t be impressed too early, frankly. At one point, the nefarious Lynxley patriarch (David Strathairn) threatens the new mayor, a Fabio-esque stallion with a flowing mane named Winddancer (Patrick Warburton), alleging that he chose him, and so he should do as Lynxley pleases.

It’s potent stuff for a kids movie, but “Zootopia 2” is clearly made to delight adults as well. There are references to other Disney movies like “Ratatouille,” but also to more adult fare, like “The Shining,” and classic action movies. What’s miraculous about what Bush has pulled off is that this feels like a film that can appeal to everyone, combining razor-sharp social commentary, silly humor and kid-friendly animated animals into a genuinely thrilling and smart film.

The climax does get a bit protracted with a series of backstabbings and betrayals, but the journey to get there is so fun. Goodwin and Bateman are excellent as usual, and favorite characters like Idris Elba’s Chief Bogo and Nate Torrence’s Clawhauser are back, with standout new additions in Fortune Feimster’s conspiracy-minded YouTube beaver Nibbles Maplestick, Ke Huy Quan’s mysterious Gary de’Snake, and an aw-shucks nice guy performance from Andy Samberg as a misfit Lynxley sibling.

With all the charm and wit of the original, “Zootopia 2” manages to deliver what we loved about the first film — and more, and that’s the true holiday miracle.

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'ZOOTOPIA 2'

3.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: PG (for action/violence and rude humor)

Running time: 1:48

How to watch: In theaters Nov. 26

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