Shadows on the Wall | The Bad Guys

The Bad Guys 2

dir Pierre Perifel
prd Damon Ross
scr Etan Cohen, Yoni Brenner
with Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova, Richard Ayoade, Alex Borstein, Lilly Singh
release UK 25.Jul.25,
US 1.Aug.25
25/US DreamWorks 1h44

See also:

Is it streaming?

Amping up the rock-n-roll vibe from the first film, this animated action-comedy plays at a quick pace and high volume as it darts through a silly story that's punctuated with enjoyably raucous chases, fights and adventures. This time, the mayhem even travels into space for a particularly nutty climax, but it remains thoroughly engaging thanks to vividly colourful animation and terrific voice work from a sparky cast.

Struggling to find work as good guys, Wolf (Rockwell), Snake (Maron), Shark (Robinson), Piranha (Ramos) and Tarantula (Awkwafina) are beginning to wonder if niceness actually pays. Then they become mixed up with a trio of bad girl burglars: Kitty Kat (Brooks), Doom (Lyonne) and Pigtail (Bakalova). So their efforts to help the police chief (Borstein) make them look guiltier than ever. When they and their friend Governor Diane (Beetz) discover the girls' actual nefarious plan, they must race to stop a MoonX rocket launch. And they're headed for a showdown at the Multinational Space Station.

As before, the dialog and imagery are peppered with sophisticated gags, movie references and hilarious throwaway jokes that will keep adults laughing while kids enjoy the madcap thrills. At the centre of the absurd plot is a magnetic mineral amusingly called MacGuffinite. Things get outrageously cartoonish as the adventure defies the laws of physics, but this also makes the imagery more eye-catching. So while a few gags feel a bit tired, most seem to come out of nowhere and squarely hit the target.

From the Egyptian prolog to some craziness at a lucha championship and a seriously messy heist at a lavish wedding, the chaos is thankfully anchored in the likeable characters, who are animated with terrific physicality and personal style to go with the big-personality voice work. So right up to the ridiculous space station climax, followed by a witty final crash cut, we can't help but cheer for these rogue heroes to not just survive, but find the purpose they need to have further adventures.

Little moral messages are dropped in here and there, without becoming pushy. This gang of five cheeky critters is seriously tempted to return to their criminal ways when they're asked, "What if the bad life was your best life?" So they ponder Kitty Kat's mantra to "stop hoping for something better and enjoy the lollipop". And perhaps the most timely comment is almost muttered under his breath as Wolf realises that the difference between fear and respect is that respect is earned.

themes, language, violence 20.Jul.25

R E A D E R R E V I E W S

Still waiting for your comments ... don't be shy.

The Bad Guys

Review by Rich Cline |

dir Pierre Perifel
scr Etan Cohen
prd Rebecca Huntley, Damon Ross
voices Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, Lilly Singh, Barbara Goodson, Dina Morrone, Michael Godere
release UK 1.Apr.22,
US 22.Apr.22
22/US DreamWorks 1h40

See also:

Is it streaming?

Brisk and snappy, this animated action comedy is packed with snarky humour, groovy music, silly gags and movie references. So it doesn't really matter that the story is somewhat predictable, or that the moral is pushed rather insistently. The lively voice cast keeps us entertained through a series of nutty set-pieces, with eye-catching imagery and lots of groovy music.

Set in a strange reality where animals live alongside humans, the story centres on a gang of thieves: leader Wolf (Rockwell), safecracker Snake (Maron), tech genius Tarantula (Awkwafina), master of disguise Shark (Robinson) and loose cannon Piranha (Ramos). When they're arrested during a heist, they challenge philanthropic guinea pig Marmalade (Ayoyade) to turn them good. And Governor Diane (Beetz) agrees. But of course they're actually plotting another robbery. Or maybe they're discovering that it's nicer to be nice.

The film is inventively animated with fresh designs and a strong action sensibility that's both cartoonish and robust. This is nicely augmented by superb actors who voice the characters in an unusually offhanded style. As the narrative dives into the chaotic and often goofy mayhem in a varied series of set-pieces, the script also offers playful nods to instinctual reactions, like wagging a tail or toe-tapping to a good beat. And the whole story reminds us that being cheered for is a lot more satisfying than being screamed at.

themes, violence 17.Jun.25

R E A D E R R E V I E W S

Still waiting for your comments ... don't be shy.