Les Bad Guys 2

Aaron Blabey's oddly ugly-yet-charming characters return in what feels like a looser take on his books, where a new group of villains frame and steal, while the "bad guys" save the day again.

And once again, the visuals are an improvement on the books, the designs enticing, the animation is crisp and colorful, while the film retains that super energetic tone throughout. It is well written and very entertaining. More of this please! Considering there are 20 books already (involving zombies, Aliens and space, Demons and Multiverses).

Still, like last time, the cast leans on recognizable names delivering perfectly serviceable performances.. but nothing that justifies sidelining professional voice actors who could have done just as well (or better).

It is easy to recommend, and hard not to enjoy.

"The Bad Guys 2" continues the unique visual style of its predecessor, but this time the visuals and color palette are even bolder. In some scenes, the film even incorporates 2D hand-drawn animation to add expressive flair and emotional tension, making the viewing experience feel like reading a moving picture book. On top of that, the action sequences are smooth and dynamic, keeping the audience fully engaged.

But, what really surprised me is that, despite being a family movie, the storyline is far from simple. Compared to the first movie, the heist elements in the sequel are more intricate, full of twists, turns, and hidden schemes. The writers, in the movie, constantly put the Bad Guys in morally challenging situations, and their decisions in the face of these dilemmas help to deepen and develop their characters.

Overall, "The Bad Guys 2" is a sequel that surpasses the original. With its distinctive art direction and a plot full of surprises, the film strikes a perfect balance between action and humor. It delivers thrilling moments alongside genuinely funny ones, making it an entertaining and heartwarming movie for audiences of all ages.

'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.

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***

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.