The Bad Guys 2

I feel mostly the same about this one as I did the first. Very stylized, funny, active, and constantly engaging with gorgeous animation, constant movement in the cinematography, sleek production design, and absolutely hilarious gags, jokes, and nods to the crime genre. Really consistent entertainment and very fun for the whole family, with jokes balancing between all- appealing and more kid-centered. Rapid-fire wit and pacing help a story with a marvelous central theme and memorable characters backed by an excellent voice cast who you can tell have so much fun in these roles. It's definitely obvious and predictable, not every joke lands, and some sequences stand out more than others, but I'm surprised at the clever storytelling from both this one and its predecessor. I would happily watch more in the future.

After getting released from prison, the Bad Guys are trying to be Good. It's not easy. It doesn't help that new criminal Phantom Bandit is stealing artifacts and leaving clues which point back to the Bad Guys. They decide to prove their innocence by solving the case for Commissioner Luggins. Governor Diane "Crimson Paw" Foxington agrees to help.

I continue to like this gang of characters. In the same breath, I continue to want more out of this franchise. These guys need to have something important to say or have stakes that are bigger than the fun of stealing a fast car. I like to see them grow. I would have liked for some more growth in their second movie. It does suggest another change for the third movie and we'll have to see.

26/7/2025 - Odeon Middlesbrough 12:45

A pretty solid sequel compared to the first, which I only found okay. The animation is top-notch, the story is familiar but still a blast, and I loved the fun nods to Mission: Impossible, Lethal Weapon, and even Silence of the Lambs?!? And yes-the fart jokes actually hit!

Definitely recommended!

I just got done watching The Bad Guys 2 the sequel to the 2022 The Bad Guys i watched the premiere movie of this and... honestly this sequel is actually really good!

Even know it's have its flaws, but seeing the bad guys returning is really happy to me and the bad girls are really good in this.

8/10!

'The Bad Guys 2 (2025)' is, first and foremost, a ton of fun. It's energetic, it's enjoyable, it's exactly what you expect it to be but no worse for it. This propulsive, well-paced sequel is brought to life with expressive, high-octane animation that consistently drops your jaw with its gorgeous storybook-meets-Saturday-morning-cartoon aesthetic. Some of it is undeniably inspired by anime, with exaggerated 2D shock reactions and unmistakable sound effects, and it feels really distinct amongst its peers who strive for cartoon realism. It's stylish, it's slick, its visuals totally compliment its tone and atmosphere. It's a joy to look at from its first frame to its last, and it absolutely sprints through its generic but entertaining narrative without feeling rushed or missing a single step. It's a total blast that sweeps you off your feet, packed full of exciting set-pieces, humourous interactions, and satisfying in-the-moment subversions that often lead to some effortlessly - and genuinely - cool moments (not a lot of movies can pull off being cool without seeming like they're trying too hard to do so) that recall silky smooth heist films like 'Ocean's Eleven (2001)' and often scratch the itch left by the cancellation of the 'Sly Cooper' feature. It's arguably not quite as good as its predecessor, but it isn't far off. It's certainly a worthy sequel and it's one of Dreamworks' better animated efforts (it isn't in the top ten, I'd say, but it's pretty close). It isn't deep, but it is entertaining and that's all you really need it to be. Besides, its story is still really solid. Its characters are well-rounded (even if their arcs aren't as big this time around), its relationships are believable, its messages are (very) subtle but important, and its plot is incredibly efficient. There are some superb action scenes sprinkled throughout, and the cast all do a brilliant job at bringing their characters to life (Sam Rockwell is a phenomenal lead, his acting acumen clearly coming across even when he's playing an animated wolf). It's all just really fun, and it looks as good as it feels. This is a really strong follow-up to one of Dreamworks' most successful new efforts. I'd definitely welcome a third entry.