The Bad Guys 2

Rating - 8.0: Overall, a surprisingly good animated heist movie that is carried by great animation and strong characters, especially Sam Rockwell's Mr Wolf, as the movie is an entertaining ride that makes you really care about what happens next to this cast; I never watched the first movie, but seeing this made me sad that I missed something really special.

Direction - Good: The direction on a macroscale creates a fun, fast-paced aesthetic in a visually appealing world that memorable characters have to navigate; The direction on a microscale is good as the banter makes you really care about the characters; Storytelling is pretty simple as, at the end of the day, this is just a children's movie; It builds tension naturally through its action sequences and does keep you on your toes as it is not as formulaic as you would think a children's movie would be

Story - Pretty Good to Good: The concept is a sequel to *The Bad Guys*, with them coming out of retirement for one "last job" to save their name; the plot structure is pretty straightforward, but not as formulaic as you think; character writing is very strong as it helps personify these characters and make you really care about them, especially Wolf, as you see his struggle with whether or not he should become good

Screenplay - Good: The dialogue is surprisingly strong for a kids' movie as it is pretty well written and entertaining; The humor is fun for all ages; The symbolism is surprisingly well done as it deals with the morality of wanting to be good, despite everyone thinking you can't change; The foreshadowing is actually not present as this movie is more about subverting your expectations

Acting - Good: Sam Rockwell - Good to Very Good (His natural charisma and experienced acting really fits this character as he really brings to life this leader of the group, the Big Bad Wolf; He has good chemistry with the cast), Marc Maron - Pretty Good to Good (Plays his role well and has good chemistry with the cast), Awkwafina - Pretty Good to Good (Plays her role well and has good chemistry with the cast), Craig Robinson - Pretty Good to Good (More of a comedic relief character, but he has good chemistry with the cast and plays his role well), Anthony Ramos - Pretty Good to Good (Plays his role well, and he has good chemistry with the cast), Zazie Beetz - Good (Has really strong chemistry with Rockwell and really brings this Fox character to life), Danielle Brooks - Pretty Good (Plays her villainous role well), Natasha Lyonne - Pretty Good (Plays her villainous role well and has good chemistry with Snake), Maria Bakalova - Decent to Pretty Good (Plays her villainous role decently well), Alex Borstein - Pretty Good to Good (Lois;), Rest of the cast - Pretty Good to Good (There is strong chemistry in the cast, and this helps make the movie enjoyable, as you really care for these characters)

Score - Pretty Good: Help set this heist mood and make the movie feel entertaining and exhilarating

Soundtrack - Pretty Bad: Your typical out-of-touch studio is forcing five-year-old pop music into a movie just to make audiences think you're 'hip'

Editing - Good to Very Good: Well edited as it helped make the movie feel unique and fast-paced, especially when coupled with the changes in animation style

Sound - Good: Well executed and helped make the action sequences really entertaining

Animation - Great: I actually really enjoyed this animation style, as it effectively shows the power this new hybrid 2D-3D style animation can have in building a world and telling a story

Pacing - Pacing is about right as the movie has a short runtime but still feels pretty fast

Climax - Climax is very entertaining, despite it stumbling on the landing a little bit

Tone - Tone is very much an animated heist movie for all ages

Final Notes - Saw an early screening; have not seen the first movie.

DreamWorks Animation maintains its success in animated films with The Bad Guys 2, which is directed by Pierre Perifel and screenplay by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen. The adventure with the former bandits turning a new leaf, but this time they find themselves struggling to fit in as good guys and gain the trust of the community. When suspicious robberies begin to occur, they get coerced and reunite once again to pull off an immense heist, but this time with a band of female thieves.

The Bad Guys 2 recurs the all-star voice cast, plus some new strong female voices. These delinquent characters take you into the middle of the fray and use clever tactics to get out of any sticky situation - Mr. Wolf comes up with creative plans and is always two steps ahead. These bad guys will keep you laughing with Marmalade portraying his best impression of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the witty exchanges from Ms. Tarantula and panicky Mr. Shark, even the flatulent gags from Mr. Piranha that never seem to get old. He certainly has tuna power!

No matter the tragedy these fearless critters encounter, they do not lose sight of their friendship and the meaning of hope. Although they have tarnished pasts, their talent and skills do not get overlooked by Chief Luggins. Perhaps a secret operative could be the next sequel? It would not be a "bad" idea.

**Review also posted on Countdown City Geeks webpage***

The Bad Guys 2 is a highly entertaining sequel that successfully builds on the fun and charm of the first film. It brings back the same group of lovable misfit characters, each with their own unique personality, and adds some fresh twists to keep the story engaging. The movie is full of fast-paced action, clever humor, and heartwarming moments that remind us why we loved these characters in the first place.

One of the film's strongest points is its animation style-vibrant, stylish, and full of energy. The visuals feel like a mix of comic book flair and classic heist-movie cool, which makes it stand out from other animated films. The pacing is snappy, the action scenes are creative without being overwhelming, and the soundtrack adds a lot of flair.

What really makes the movie work, though, is the chemistry between the characters. Their teamwork, banter, and development feel genuine and fun to watch. There's also a nice balance between comedy and deeper themes like trust, redemption, and finding your place in the world. These moments give the film emotional depth without slowing it down.

It's not a perfect film-it doesn't take many risks, and some parts feel a bit familiar if you've seen the first one. But for a sequel, it holds up impressively well and keeps the spirit of the original alive while offering enough new content to feel fresh.

Overall, The Bad Guys 2 is a fun, smart, and well-animated adventure that works for all ages. I'd give it a strong 8 out of 10. It may not break new ground, but it delivers exactly what it promises-and does it with style and heart.

It got all the goodness from Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age and Madagascar, Kitty reminded me of Tigress, the cast is exceptional, it's fuuuunny, you'll root for the villains as much as for the Bad guys turned Good guys. Music is spot on, with cues to discover and enjoy. It's action packed, with subtle morale, better than Superman, better than Fantastic 4, and both of them together. Great movie, can't wait to see it again tomorrow.

If you're looking for a movie that the whole family can enjoy - The Bad Guys 2 is exactly what you need. This sequel is a nonstop rollercoaster of laughter, action, and heart, with just the right dose of mischief to keep both kids and adults entertained.

The film doubles down on its comedic energy, with sharper jokes, hilarious situations, and brilliant character interactions. Mr. Shark and Mr. Snake steal scenes, and even the newcomers - the Bad Girls - bring a surprising mix of humor and sass to the story and action.

But what really makes The Bad Guys 2 special is how family-friendly it is without ever feeling watered down. There are great messages about teamwork, trust, and doing the right thing - all wrapped up in a slick, hilarious package.

And let's not forget the chemistry between Mr. Wolf and Diane - a sweet, playful dynamic that adds emotional depth without overpowering the fun.

Visually stunning, perfectly scored, and full of clever twists, The Bad Guys 2 is a blast from start to finish. Whether you're 6 or 60, you'll find something to love.