Review: The Bad Guys 2

Directed by: Pierre Perifel

Written by: Yoni Brenner & Etan Cohen

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz

Rating: [3.5/5]

Everyone loves a redemption story where individuals who have done wrong in the past get the ability to prove they have turned over a new leaf. However, while an individual can plead they have changed their ways, it does not always mean others will accept this. A reality many individuals with a criminal record experience in our world experience and also the one in The Bad Guys 2. Our return to this world yields yet another strong outing and enjoyable film.

Now having turned a new leaf, Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) and his crew have decided to make an honest living for themselves but find difficulty in reintegrating into society. Just as they begin to make progress, they are forced back into the life of crime by a group called the Bad Girls, led by the Phantom Bandit (Danielle Brooks), or else a dangerous secret will see the light of day. 

Following up a fun first film that introduced us to this strange world of animals and humans coexisting, The Bad Guys 2 sees our protagonists in a difficult spot as they try to fully become good. This involves becoming productive members of society through the workforce but also earning back the trust of individuals who have chased them over the years. It does display a struggle incarcerated individuals do face when trying to re-enter society, where they must disclose their past criminal activity and how they will continue to face this obstacle for the rest of their lives. A harsh reality where a singular mistake will repeatedly impede one’s reintegration even if all restitution, remorse, and apologies have transpired. Of course, this film highlights this struggle in a comedic manner, such as when Mr. Wolf tries to apply for a job at a bank where the manager mentions that the Bad Guy crew had repeatedly robbed that specific bank. Certainly not the best place to try and win over people by showing that they have turned over a new leaf. 

We also see this play out with police commissioner Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein), who in the preceding film spent the entire runtime ruthlessly tracking them down for their crimes to have them face justice. Mr. Wolf must work overtime to win over her trust, especially when the complicated situation with the Bad Girls arises and they could use her help. Unsurprisingly, it’s a big ask to make, but yet again, it displays what makes Mr. Wolf so good at what he does and why he excelled in his previous line of work. 

In introducing the Bad Girls, we have four new animals added into the fray who have looked up to Mr. Wolf and his crew and want to use their skills for personal gain. This then allows one to see the bad guys once again thrive and utilize their skill sets, but now under duress. This dynamic they have with these new villains flows from admiration, one of a fresh rivalry, and, in the case of Mr. Snake (Mr. Snake) and Doom (Natasha Lyonne), a bit of a budding romance. These protagonists have met their match, and this dynamic brings most of the fun this sequel has to offer. 

As we learn of what this new villainous crew has cooked up, it truly begins to push the bounds of sanity. When trying to create a magnet that will literally take all of the gold in the world, it presents an idea that in theory should work and lead to riches but will just leave you scratching your head. Then add in a plot point where it involves a rocket that will take them to space, and things just continually get silly along the way. Whether one will find entertainment in this will depend on how much one buys into this world and the journey of these characters, which I am fully on board with. 

Delivering a strong sequel, The Bad Guys 2 brings back our favorite villainous animals trying to turn to life as upstanding citizens but find themselves forced back if they want to avoid having someone’s life ruined. The film comes with all of the fun one could want from this world and allows us to see these characters struggle in the different ways they are pulled. The animation once looks great as DreamWorks continues to build out a world ripe with more stories to tell should they want to pursue them.