The Bad Guys 2 brings high-octane action and vibrant visuals, but misses the emotional depth that made the original film a hit. Read our full review.
DreamWorks Animation returns with The Bad Guys 2, the much-anticipated sequel to 2022’s surprise hit that changed the conversation around family heist stories. Full of action, comedy, and zippy visuals, The Bad Guys 2 has considerable pleasures in terms of spectacle, but struggles to recapture the emotional scale and originality of its predecessor. It’s still fun, but it’s more a high-gloss spin-off erratically tottering on the shoulders of the earlier film that made audiences fall in love with Mr. Wolf and his band of rehabilitated crooks.
A Quick Recap: What’s so Good About the First Film?
Before jumping into the sequel, it’s worth recalling the breakout success of The Bad Guys (2022). The original film is based on Aaron Blabey’s series of books, and we meet a gang of notorious animal bandits, including Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha. As anthropomorphic characters, they were smooth-talking, chaotic, and shockingly lovable. But what made the film enjoyable beyond the usual animated caper was its sincere investigation of themes of redemption, self-acceptance, and change.
Director Pierre Perifel struck a great balance between artsy visuals, exciting action sequences, and heartfelt emotional beats. At its root, the first film was asking the deep question: can bad guys really change? This moral journey – combined with clever storytelling and a jazzy soundtrack – was what made it so beloved by both kids and adults.
The Bad Guys 2: Bigger, Louder… But Better?
Set one year after the end of the gang’s redemption arc, The Bad Guys 2 drops us right into a world where our former criminals are now crime fighters. Unfortunately, their peace of mind is short-lived thanks to a new villain, Crimson Claw – who is partly a tech genius and partly a nefarious anarchist – who forces the team to question their loyalties, methods, and what it really means to be “good”.
From the opening chase scene across neon-tinted rooftops, to a gravity-defying heist inside a floating museum, what is clear from The Bad Guys 2 is that it’s bigger, louder, and crazier. The animation is slicker, the action sequences are larger than life, and the soundtracks—especially the bass are mad highlights. The pacing in The Bad Guys 2 is relentless, which makes for a fun ride, but it rarely has time to slow down to let characters breathe or experience their personal growth.
New Faces, Familiar Heroic Team
The sequel has plenty of new characters. A few are certainly interesting, particularly the creepy but charming (and oh so funny) Crimson Claw, voiced by Cate Blanchett. There’s also an internet-savvy raccoon called Byte, and Officer Vixen, who is trying to uphold the law.
Although the sequel brings in some new life to the franchise, there are way too many new characters. The original team is sidelined. Mr. Snake’s sarcasm feels toned down, Mr. Shark’s humor feels way too safe/predictable, and Mr. Wolf, who was the emotional anchor of the original film, now feels like another action hero.
The original crew still has great chemistry with each other, but they lack the emotional stakes of their friendship from the original film. Since the original provided more room for character arcs, the sequel seems to opt for punchlines and quips, so the film lacks any real emotional engagement.
Flash Over Feeling
The greatest failing of The Bad Guys 2 is in its tone. The original film was able to have soul—and was able to slow down or allow itself to contemplate and allow its characters to develop, whereas this sequel feels like it doesn’t allow an inch, with never a new gadget, a new chase, or a new turn that is coming. And while that is fun for young people, that does not allow for the quieter human (or animal) moments that allowed The Bad Guys 1 to elevate itself.
There are emotional beats—the sub-plot of Mr. Wolf contemplating whether there is just as much ego in being a hero as being a villain—but these do not gain traction, and end up floating away under the weight of everything else going on.
Visuals & Direction: Eye Candy
Where The Bad Guys 2 excels without question is in visuals. The animation is a brave mixture of 2D flourishes accompanying 3D models, in a way which is able to achieve a comic book style energy that brings to mind Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. The lighting in the film is spectacular—the look of night scenes’ colours is unbelievable—neon reflections, dark alleyways, and explosions are stunningly clean.
Still Worth It to Watch?
Yes. While it isn’t perfect, The Bad Guys 2 is still a fun and exhilarating movie to watch, and is perfect for a family movie night. It has enough comedy and fast-paced visuals for kids, and adults can find some enjoyment in the snappy dialogue and occasional self-referencing humor.
However, those who loved the first for its emotionality and narrative heart, you might want to temper expectations. This film is more of a wonderfully produced side quest than a true sequel that builds on meaningful character arcs.
How have audiences reacted? And what is the buzz on box office numbers?
Although early audience reactions have been mixed, many in the audience are saying the animation and humor are great, while some are saying the emotionality is pretty hollow compared to the first film, and Rotten Tomatoes currently has it at 73% with critics, while audiences are giving it an 84%. While that is still decent ratings, it is a pretty rough regression from the original movie that got an 83% from critics!
Box office-wise, The Bad Guys 2 opened up very well; it made $40 million domestically in its opening weekend. It is expected that globally, it will garner over $150 million in its first two weeks. Thus, audiences are still coming out for it, even if it doesn’t quite nail the landing.
Bottom Line: A Handsome But Surface-Level Sequel
A sequel, BAD GUYS 2, is certainly not a terrible movie, not even close. It is entertaining, fast-paced, and has gorgeous animation to boot. However, where the first film had some heart and thematic heft, this one opts for pure spectacle. The animated sequel landscape has become littered with bad cash grabs from major studios, but at least BAD GUYS 2 attempts to entertain us. Regardless, along the way, it is hard not to feel like the film should have slowed down just enough for us to grab a little more time to fall in love with the gang a second time.
FAQs
1. Does The Bad Guys 2 follow on directly from the first movie?
Absolutely! The Bad Guys 2 takes place about a year after the original. The Bad Guys are now crime-fighters (similar to Sorta heroes), but when a new threat arises, it makes them question their roles and morals.
2. Should I watch The Bad Guys (2022) first and then The Bad Guys 2?
 While The Bad Guys 2 has a self-contained plot, we highly recommend watching The Bad Guys first! It will give you the backstory and emotional trajectory of the characters, and it will also give you the full effect of Mr. Wolf’s character arc.
3. Who is the villain of the piece in The Bad Guys 2?
The sequel also introduces the character Crimson Claw, who is slippery, cunning, and mysterious. She is voiced by Cate Blanchett, and we all know she’s a threat! She has a personal vendetta to resolve, and she is well-armed with gadgets.
4. Is The Bad Guys 2 okay for kids?
Yes! Rated PG, it is okay for most children. There is action, mild peril, and fast-paced humour, but overall it should be pretty family friendly.