And now, today, we review what is a continuation of an animated film that was released 3-3 1/2 years ago. It is the one, and only, The Bad Guys 2, the sequel to the 2022 hit animated film.
Plot: Going from a life of crime to learning to do good deeds was just the beginning for the title characters. This time, Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Snake (Marc Martin), and the gang now try to live new lives, trying to get better jobs, and doing whatever it takes to stay out of the life of crime for good, but to no avail. But when the gang comes across a new group of female animal criminals that consists of the leader, a snow leopard named Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), and her henchmen, a wild boar named Pigtail Petrova (Maria Bakalova), and a raven named Doom/Susan (Natasha Lyonne), this gang, known as the Bad Girls, offer the now Good Guys a chance to get back in their former criminal ways by helping them pull off a very dangerous heist. Now, the question remains, will the Good Guys reform to the life of crime, or will they remember the valuable lessons that were taught by their mentor, Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz), and stop the Bad Girls from carrying out their plan?
First of all, seeing that characters like Wolf, Snake, these characters are ones that are more often than not portrayed as villains in many other films, how could we not appreciate the fact that characters like these are being portrayed in a more positive light in both this film, and its predecessor, The Bad Guys 1? Second, The Bad Guys 2 does an excellent job of doing what a good sequel needs to do, making it improve, and expand on its characters, storyline, world building, and more. You know, correct me if I’m likely wrong, but it seems like DreamWorks has made a great track record of making their sequels as good, oftentimes even better than, their predecessor (case in point, 2011’s Kung Fu Panda 2, or 2022’s Puss In Boots: The Last Wish). The Bad Guys 2 is certainly no exception. Also, like many of DreamWorks’ more recent animated films, The Bad Guys 2 has a really great animation style. Like animated films such as Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, The Bad Guys 1, or Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, for instance, The Bad Guys 2 does a brilliant of somehow blending the styles of 3D, and 2D animation with each other really well. Side note, rumor has it that the upcoming Disney/Pixar film, Gatto (which will apparently be coming out in June 2027), will be attempting this style of animation as well. Can that film pull it off the same way that Sony Animation, and DreamWorks Animation has in more recent years? Well, we shall see come less than two years from now. Anyway, back to talking about The Bad Guys 2! As mentioned moments ago, the characters are more developed this time around. It is surprising as to how this is the case especially for Wolf, and Diane Foxington. The new villains were also very good. This sequel also ups the stakes real high this time around. I mean there’s more action, more grit, and it seems surprisingly a little more darker this time around. Yet, it also does well balancing out its darker tone with it it’s more lighthearted comedic tone. Man, somewhat typical DreamWorks, eh? I think other animation companies like Sony Animation, and even Disney could learn from DreamWorks. Oh, and did I forget to mention that, at times, The Bad Guys 2 seems to have the feel of action films like Mission Impossible, Fast & The Furious, or ones like those? I’m sure that even adults will enjoy this film, and sequel, all the more because of that. Finally, The Bad Guys seems to act like a fable in terms of providing lessons for people of all ages. This is especially the case with an evil character basically saying to one of the good ones that it’s hopeless to do what’s right, and that doing bad things is the way to go. Seeing as the devil will try to brainwash even Christians with lies such as that, this helped make this film even better.
If there were any negatives in this sequel, they would be that one, there were a couple plot holes in this film. Also, as far as the new villains go, even though they were fairly well developed ones, we probably couldn’t have had more screen time with them. Should they appear in the third film, hopefully we’ll get to see more of them. But we shall see.
And that’s my review for The Bad Guys 2. Honestly, this is one of the rare to fewer times that many people will probably like this sequel more than its predecessor. The animation is awesome, the story, though simple, is also really engaging from beginning to end, the comedy, and darker tone balance each other out well, and the characters are more well done this time around. And, yes, let’s not forget the valuable lessons that are to be gained from The Bad Guys 2. Truly, this is one that needs to be viewed on the big screen before video. So, if it’s still playing at a theater near you, and you can afford it, go see it! It’s definitely worth your time to be sure.
Final Rating: 9/10
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 