'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.
