'The Bad Guys 2' film review: Recidivism, fart jokes & stunning visuals
Life as law-abiding citizens is tougher than pulling off crazy heists for a crew of reformed criminals in 'The Bad Guys 2' (opening in theaters on Aug. 1).
In short: After leaving behind the life of crime, the Bad Guys struggle to convince the public they've turned their lives around - and they're immediately suspected when a new wave of heists start. Stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz and Danielle Brooks.
'The Bad Guys 2' is pretty much exactly the movie it needs to be - an entertaining heist romp filled without just the right balance of crude humor for the kids, but some unexpectedly existential moments for the adults. If the first movie dealt with the infamous crew's choice to change their criminal ways, 'The Bad Guys 2' has them openly wondering if they made the right choice. The first act is steeped in their daily struggle just to convince the public to give them a second chance - but the world at large is still very skeptical of the Bad Guys change of heart.
This is exactly the perfect moment for the sequel to introduce the story's main threat: a new, unidentified criminal crew stealing incredibly valuable objects from around the city. The fact that the Bad Guys find themselves immediately singled out as suspects is just the right impetus for them to question being law-abiding citizens at all: why struggle as honest citizens if the public is just going to assume they're always the criminals anyway?
The all-star voice cast - anchored by Rockwell, Maron and Brooks - solidly roots the story in the emotional conflict the Bad Guys must reconcile. They're instinct is stop the bad guys, but to what end: protect a public that largely rejects the idea that criminals can reform. Fundamentally, the film's larger philosophy is that the public cannot shake their distrust - but the movie still allows the Bad Guys to question themselves but also do what they think is just.
Despite being under two hours, 'The Bad Guys 2' does have some fat that could have been trimmed. The script didn't have faith enough in Wolf (Rockwell) reconciling his choice between good guy and bad guy, so a new threat targeting his love interest Governor Foxington feels like a lazy plot driver. The villainous guinea pig Marmalade returns - but his inclusion feels unnecessary as the villainous Kitty Kat (Brooks) is a pretty great foil for Wolf. Although the first and second acts upend the Bad Guys lives to give them pause and ponder a return to crime, the third act generally devolves into an action sequence and sadly abandons some of the film's headier notions about committing to honesty and truly working to earn trust back from those who have lost trust.
Some pretty great animation really kicks the sequel's action sequences into high gear. The script makes it effortless to root for the Bad Guys to save the day, pull off the heist or just simply remain good guys. Sly editing accentuates the heist sequences and some disarming smash cuts are genuinely hilarious. Even the requisite silliness of a kids movie is indeed very silly - but the gags mercifully don't overstay their welcome. The fact that this flick can pull of a ‘farting pirahna’ gag several times is legit impressive.
Final verdict: A entertaining crime caper for kids that will entertain audience of all ages - and the sequel truly pushes its main characters to question who they are and what they’re willing to do.
Score: 3.5/5
'The Bad Guys 2' opens in theaters nationwide starting Aug. 1. The animated comedy has a runtime of 104 minutes and is rated PG for action/mild violence, rude humor and language.
