The beloved animated outlaws return with bigger stakes, space shenanigans, and surprisingly genuine heart
Three years after their pandemic hit debut, the lovable rogues of “The Bad Guys” are back. But this time, they’re trading prison stripes for space suits in a sequel that transforms from sweet family fare into full-blown cosmic chaos.
The Gang’s All Here (And Going Straight)
Our familiar crew has undergone a major life change. The debonair Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), the gravelly Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), the gassy Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), the disguise-loving Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), and tech-savvy Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina) have officially gone legit. They’ve done their time and emerged as reformed good guys.
This transformation creates an interesting problem. The first half feels almost too wholesome. Sam Rockwell’s natural charm bleeds through Mr. Wolf’s voice work, making this supposed Big Bad Wolf sound more like your friendly neighborhood dad. It’s hard to buy him as a former criminal mastermind when every line drips with relatability.
But here’s the thing about “The Bad Guys 2” – just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it completely shifts gears.
Enter the Real Villains
The movie finds its bite when it introduces actual antagonists. The Phantom Bandit leads a crew called the Bad Girls, featuring the scene-stealing Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), a snow leopard with serious attitude. Alongside her are Maria Bakalova’s Pigtail Petrova, a wild boar whose Russian literalism provides some of the film’s best laughs.
Their master plan? Hijack the Moon X rocket ship and use the world’s most powerful magnet to steal all of Earth’s gold. It sounds bonkers on paper, and somehow it works even better on screen.
From Mild to Wild
The transformation happens at the movie’s midpoint. Once that rocket blasts off, “The Bad Guys 2” morphs from gentle comedy into something resembling a Tom Cruise action sequence. Our heroes leap onto a speeding rocket ship from a helicopter. They navigate through casting-off stages while the ship accelerates toward space.
This sequence genuinely stunned me. Up until that moment, I was settling in for 90 minutes of harmless fun. Suddenly, I’m watching animated characters pull off stunts that would make Mission Impossible proud.
The Space Race Pays Off
Directors Pierre Perifel and JP Sans (adapting Aaron Blabey’s graphic novel series) clearly saved their best for last. The outer space setting unleashes the film’s true potential. The action becomes more inventive, the stakes feel genuine, and the animation reaches spectacular heights.
Marc Maron’s Mr. Snake steals scenes as a reformed health fanatic who exits every situation with a California-inflected “Bye-eeeee.” Mr. Piranha’s flatulence becomes a genuine plot device in zero gravity (Stanley Kubrick never saw this coming). The romantic subplot between Mr. Wolf and Governor Diane (Zazie Beetz) develops actual chemistry – rare for animated films.
More Than Just Kid Stuff
“The Bad Guys 2” taps into a growing trend in animation. Like recent entries in franchises from “Smurfs” to superhero properties, it’s not content to stay in the kiddie pool. The climax features James Bond-level gadgetry and comic book-style spectacle as Kitty Kat’s super-magnet pulls gold objects from Earth below.
This isn’t just visual eye candy. It represents a fundamental shift for the franchise. These characters have evolved from simple kid-friendly ruffians into legitimate action heroes protecting the planet. The movie doesn’t just set up another sequel – it completely reconfigures what a “Bad Guys” movie can be.
The Verdict
“The Bad Guys 2” succeeds by refusing to play it safe. Yes, the first half leans heavily into wholesomeness that might test some viewers’ patience. But the payoff is worth it. When the movie finally cuts loose in space, it delivers genuine thrills alongside its heart.
This is animation that respects its young audience while acknowledging that kids can handle more sophisticated storytelling than we often give them credit for. It’s affectionate rather than laugh-out-loud funny, but it earns its emotional beats honestly.
By the final frame, “The Bad Guys 2” has successfully launched its characters – and its franchise – into an entirely new orbit.
★★★½
