THE BAD GUYS is one of my favorite animated movies in recent years, it has such a captivating art style mixed with action, a compelling story and genuinely funny characters. I had been waiting for this sequel in anticipation since I saw the first trailer last November (I have now seen the trailer so many times, I am embarrassed to admit I have the full thing memorized). I am beyond pleased to say that this film not only lived up to, but SURPASSED any expectations I had for it. The film is fantastic because it is enjoyable for both parents and children alike, not filled with mindless jokes and nonsensical storylines, and especially compared to some of the other animated movies to release recently (SMURFS…), feels like the highest form of entertainment.
Animation has been hit or miss recently, but I would say that THE BAD GUYS 2 holds up to the same caliber as movies like THE WILD ROBOT, and that’s a pretty high bar. Both of these films have similarities, but the strongest one is the animation style. Not only does THE BAD GUYS 2 have a very unique look, reminiscent of comic books and the graphic novels the films were based on, it also combines different stylistic choices, adding depth to the film. The color palette is not the typical, overly saccharine one that hypnotizes your children with a dopamine boost; it’s more muted and feels more realistic.
My favorite aspect of the film is the characters. They feel three-dimensional and are intriguing; I’m not constantly annoyed by their presence. That’s the same reason that I fell so deeply in love with the first film. I remember seeing Wolf for the first time and being shocked that you could have an anti-hero like him in a children’s movie. It felt similar to the first time I saw Danny Ocean or Henry Hill, yet in an animated film. The film practically is OCEANS ELEVEN or MISSION IMPOSSIBLE for children, and that feels intentional. One of the best aspects of THE BAD GUYS 2 is the similarities to films their parents know and love, and that’s a reason why so many parents may connect to it. The film is potentially preparing kids for these more “advanced” movies to watch later, setting up these complex plots, flawed characters that go through an arc, and some epic action moments. This film has some moments where it might drag on, especially towards the end, but if you shift your perspective that you’re watching a children’s movie (in which you expect the story to rush and resolve), and instead choose to take in the film from an angle that you are just watching a movie, it’ll feel a lot punchier.
I love the cast so much – the first film introduced me to Sam Rockwell, and after seeing him in THE WHITE LOTUS I’ve become a pretty big fan. The other “bad guys” include Marc Maron as Snake, Craig Robinson as Shark, Anthony Ramos as Piranha, and Awkwafina as Tarantula (or, “webs”). You have the return of Zazie Beetz as Diane, Alex Borstein as the Commissioner, and Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade. On top of that we meet the newest addition to the film, the bad GIRLS, which consists of Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova, and booked and busy actress, Natasha Lyonne. The film obviously has some huge stars in it, following the trend for these animated movies. You can go into the studio and record your lines of dialogue in a day, get a big check, and if the movies is awful (SMURFS…) you can walk away with little damage. The difference between most of those films and THE BAD GUYS 2 is the pride the actors have in the final product, as well as the ability to distinctly recognize the actors voices while watching.
THE BAD GUYS 2 has such a fascinating plot. There are twists, turns, roadblocks, action, laughter and some good moral questions posed. There are some genuinely funny jokes, and doesn’t just go for the low hanging fruit. It has a solid story layout with a rise, fall, climax, inciting incident, etc. The villains feel genuinely scary and present real challenges, as well as explaining the reason for their badness and how misguided people can go down the wrong path. The characters feel dynamic because they aren’t perfect, but recognize their flaws and ways to fix them. They are trying to figure out the different between right and wrong, and the ways to succeed in a world where the system is built against them. All of these story elements mixed with the lively visuals is why THE BAD GUYS 2 deserves to be experienced now.
THE BAD GUYS 2 is now playing in theaters
