The reformed Bad Guys are forced to return to crime by another set of thieves in the solid animated sequel The Bad Guys 2, directed by Pierre Perifel and based on the book series by Aaron Blabey.
No matter anything else, The Bad Guys 2 is a movie I shall hold in my heart. (Don’t worry, it’s good, but come with me here.) The critical/early-public screening was the first full-length movie for my four-year-old. He’s been to the cartoon showings at our favorite local theatre, but that has the lights up, kids can talk and move around, and nothing is longer than 22 minutes. But coming out to a regular first-run show, getting some popcorn, sitting in a big seat, and semi-silently watching, it’s a first. I’m glad to bring him out. He didn’t quite make it, and my wife took him out after about an hour. But still his first experience. So, I’ll always remember The Bad Guys 2. (Btw, my first movie was An American Tail, also when I was four. My mom said I didn’t like it. I was born a critic.)
I’m glad my kid’s first full movie was a good one. Whew. Imagine forever associating it with Hookwinked 18 or something.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the 2022 first entry in The Bad Guys franchise. The awesome design, the sleek Soderbergh-cool of the story (yes, the “twists” are obvious a mile away, but it wasn’t made for a 40-year-old), and a fantastic sense of character. The ins and outs of a heist movie and its character set are translated with a sense of hip energy. I was excited when a sequel was announced. I still haven’t read the book series by Blabey, but I did add it to my massive For Later digital pile on Seattle Public Library’s website.
The follow-up, aptly named Bad Guys 2, is a solid sequel. It’s lesser, with too much going on and a slip back of character, but is a very fun adventure with a series of thrilling action scenes, led well by returning director Pierre Perifel. The “Bad Guys,” having completed their redemption arc, are in dire straits. The team, leader Mr. Wolf, lockpick Mr. Snake, disguise master Mr. Shark, hacker Ms. Tarantula, and wildcard Mr. Piranha, despite their skills, are unable to get jobs. All are downtrodden except the normally grumpy Mr. Snake, now strangely loose and happy. And for reasons (you know, the plot and I don’t spoil details) they end up back in the sights of former adversary now reluctant friend Chief (now Commissioner) and forced to pull One Last Heist by an all-female set of criminals: Kitty Kat (a snow leopard), Doom (a bird) and Pigtail (a Boar) Hijinks ensue, character motivations, talk of good vs bad, nature vs nurture occur, and big adventure follows.
Writers Yoni Brenner & Etan Coen bump it all up. Bad Guys 2 has so much big adventure. It’s a sequel, so we have to get bigger and badder. Everything on the heist and action end is bumped up a few levels. Whether it be the opening flashback Egyptian heist (pure Soderberg), a wedding scheme, the massive finale, or a handful in between, they are all incredibly impressive. The animation is flawless, using the medium to embiggen the heist action. It’s thrilling, clever, and it flows, builds, explodes, and turns with an exciting ease. But there is A LOT of it. It’s a little overwhelming.
Speaking of the animation, The Bad Guys 2 uses the modern multi-method impressively. In a very fun touch, the styles switch for particular moments to gain an extra level of emotion, joke, or make a point. The overall character design continues to be intricate and impressive. It all moves with a smoothness. No skimping on the sequel in design or sequences. The physical gags and beats work. Detail, detail, detail!
The downside to increasing the severity of action is the erosion of character. Having completed their arc in the first film, there isn’t much further for The Bad Guys to go, except to question if it was the right thing. Being “bad” is easier, so why be good? That’s it. There’s a bit of backstory for the new Bad Girls, but it doesn’t add much. As characters, they’re fun but basic. Unfortunately, the Bad Guys themselves are mostly reduced to the basic skills over character.
Luckily, a great set of voice talent smooths over any snags in the characters. Everyone from the original returns for the sequel. The always dependable Sam Rockwell lends a Danny Ocean charm. Mark Maron’s Snake is delightfully grumpy with great humor in the opening up. Awkwafina’s Ms. Tarantula has boundless spark. Craig Robinson’s Mr. Shark brings the giddy, and Anthony Ramos’s Mr. Piranha’s excitability.
The new voices are excellently suited. Kitty Kat is a feisty Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne is hilarious working with Maron as Doom, and Maria Bakalova continues to make her star with yet another skill set. There’s a chemistry with them all, with a rambunctious, cool energy. I don’t know if they all recorded together, but they flow so well as a group, it feels like it. They are funny people, working from a very funny script, and that helps.
The Bad Guys 2 is a solid sequel, with bigger and more action. That bumping up comes with a loss of character growth (although the characters are a joy to watch interact). The intended audience probably won’t notice, so it’s alright. What is here is a ton of fun. It’ a dip, but not much.