DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 roars onto the screen with the same slick, heist-fueled energy that made its predecessor a surprise hit, but this time, it dials up the stakes, humor, and heart. Directed by Pierre Perifel and co-directed by JP Sans, this sequel follows the reformed animal outlaws—Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), and Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos)—as they navigate the rocky road of redemption only to be pulled back into the criminal underworld for “one last job.” The result is a vibrant, fast-paced animated caper that delivers laughs while maintaining the franchise’s signature comic-book flair.
The story picks up with the Bad Guys struggling to adapt to their new “good guy” personas. Society hasn’t quite bought their reformation, and job interviews—like Wolf’s hilarious attempt to work at a bank he once robbed. When a cunning new villain, Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), frames them for a series of artifact thefts, the crew is blackmailed into joining her all-female squad for a globe-trotting heist. The plot, while occasionally predictable, keeps the audience on its toes with clever twists and a high-energy pace that rarely lets up. The addition of the Bad Girls—Kitty Kat, Pigtail Petrova (Maria Bakalova), and Doom (Natasha Lyonne)—injects fresh conflict and chemistry, contrasting Wolf’s crew with a darker, less disciplined mirror image.
Visually, The Bad Guys 2 is a knockout. The film leans even harder into its comic-book-inspired aesthetic, blending 2D and 3D animation to create a world that pops with vibrant colors and dynamic movement. From a thrilling Cairo car chase to the action sequences which are inventive and beautifully choreographed. While some may find the space-bound climax a bit far-fetched, the sheer visual spectacle makes it a jaw-dropping ride.
The voice cast is a major strength, with Sam Rockwell delivering a roguish yet vulnerable performance as Mr. Wolf, whose is struggling to earn society’s trust. The ensemble—Awkwafina’s snarky Tarantula, Maron’s deadpan Snake, and Ramos’s gassy Piranha—keeps the banter lively, though some characters, like Tarantula, feel slightly underused. The chemistry among the Bad Guys remains a highlight, their loyalty and bickering grounding the wild plot in genuine camaraderie. The Bad Guys 2 builds on the first film’s exploration of redemption, diving deeper into the question of whether society can accept change in those labeled “bad.” The film thoughtfully examines the challenges of reintegration, drawing parallels to real-world struggles. Messages about trust, teamwork, and the courage to make better choices resonate, particularly in Wolf’s arc and his bond with Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz), whose own past as the Crimson Paw adds layers to the story.
For families, The Bad Guys 2 is a crowd-pleaser that hits the mark. It’s a worthy sequel that amplifies what worked in the original while introducing new characters and higher stakes. Whether you’re a fan of heist flicks, animated adventures, or just looking for a fun family outing, The Bad Guys 2 delivers a criminally good time.
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