The Bad Guys 2
July 29th, 2025
MOVIE: THE BAD GUYS 2
STARRING: SAM ROCKWELL, MARC MARON, CRAIG ROBINSON, ANTHONY RAMOS, AWKWAFINA, NATASHA LYONNE
DIRECTED BY: PIERRE PERIFEL, JP SANS
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 104 MINUTES
DreamWorks has carved out a fresh place for itself as a leader in animation. With Pixar struggling to consistently deliver original hits, DreamWorks—through its partnership with Paramount—has smartly tapped into the world of children’s literature to fuel its recent success. They already had a hit with Dog Man. The Bad Guys was a surprise breakout, and its sequel, The Bad Guys 2, proves that lightning can strike twice—only this time, the stakes are higher and the fun even more infectious.
Picking up after the events of the first film, we’re reunited with the reformed animal heist crew: Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Snake (Marc Maron), Tarantula (Awkwafina), Shark (Craig Robinson), and Piranha (Anthony Ramos). Now committed to doing good, they find that turning over a new leaf is easier said than done. Wolf can’t land a job—not even at the bank he once robbed—and the crew is struggling to fit into their new roles. When a mysterious new gang begins committing thefts and framing them, the team must regroup to clear their names. It’s a mission that might just be harder than stealing candy from a baby.
What made the original Bad Guys stand out was their unexpected creativity and sharp comedic timing. Now that we know these characters, the sequel deepens our connection with them. Familiar gags still land—like Shark’s “impeccable” disguises and Piranha’s unfortunate gas problem when nervous—but the story moves even faster this time, driven by energetic direction from Pierre Perifel and JP Sans, and a clever script by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen. The animation is equally strong: slick, expressive, and occasionally stunning, giving the film a rich visual texture.
The sequel spices things up with a dynamic new crew: Pigtail (Maria Bakalova), Doom (Natasha Lyonne), and their leader, Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks). Their presence brings even more energy to an already packed film. If there’s one minor flaw, it’s that the film can feel a bit overstuffed. Still, with returning favorites like the scene-stealing Chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein) and the hilariously pompous Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), the controlled chaos only adds to the fun.
While The Bad Guys 2 is aimed at kids, it’s smart, fast-paced, and stylish enough for adults to enjoy too. The voice cast is spot-on, and the film continues to lean into the heist genre in a way that feels like a perfect gateway for younger audiences—think Ocean’s Eleven for the Saturday morning crowd. Who says kids can’t appreciate clever grifters or slick con jobs?
The Bad Guys 2 is pure family entertainment—and yes, this franchise has officially stolen my heart.
3 STARS
THE BAD GUYS 2 IS PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 2025.
Written by: Leo Brady
