About the film (courtesy of Universal Pictures):
Everyone’s favorite felons are back, and this time, they’ve got company. In the new action-packed chapter from DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed comedy smash about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, our now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a. new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.
A sequel that is anything but bad, The Bad Guys 2 proves to be a fun and entertaining movie that faithfully builds on the world of its predecessor. Audiences should be prepared for a wild adventure that sees the main members of the ensemble heading where very few animals have gone before: space! The animation is visually stunning, and the clever writing keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. This is a truly enjoyable ride for all ages, offering genuine laughs and exciting twists throughout.
The movie opens with the cast having a tough time reintegrating into society after being released from prison. Down on their luck but trying their best, they are framed for a crime they didn’t commit. The plot then centers on their efforts to clear their name by solving the mystery of who framed them and apprehending a sly cat burglar and her compatriots. The pacing of the film is solid enough to ensure no particular part of this trek overstays its welcome, all while cracking a multitude of jokes and roping the audience in emotionally to some of the characters.
The star-studded cast features many of the voices from the first movie, and they do just as good a job here. Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, and Alex Borstein all return, while Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova, and Natasha Lyonne are welcome additions. They all gel very well in their given roles, truly helping to bring the movie to life with their performances.
The character design for The Bad Guys 2 is excellent. Each figure, whether human or animal on screen, feels unique and vibrant, contributing significantly to the overall experience. The same can be said for the color patterns and the dynamic shifts in tone throughout. The film also does an incredible job at crafting jokes that younger audiences can appreciate, while still leaving ample room for older viewers to latch on and connect. The humor ranges from classic fart jokes to the main material the “real” bad guys are after being cleverly named “Macguffinite.”
However, with so much consistently happening during action sequences, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of exactly what is occurring during a particular brawl. This seems to stem from how “snappy” the scenes were made to feel. This might also be a side effect of viewing on the big screen, which for the most part was a pleasant experience. These bits of The Bad Guys 2 do also change color patterns quite frequently, which might become jarring in the beginning.
For this being the main point of contention for the film, it’s hard not to recommend seeing The Bad Guys 2. It’s a beautiful combination of so many different movies. From combat situations which echo back to Kung Fu Panda (2008), its heist scenes that seem to call back warmly to Ocean’s Eleven (2001) or Now You See Me (2013), to the ridiculousness of the new Fast and Furious movies, it’s a well-executed film that’s pleasant to watch from start to finish for the whole family.
The Bad Guys 2 breaks into theaters starting Friday, August 1st. Check it out!
