Our Review

                           Movie: THE BAD GUYS 2

 Rating: PG, action/mild violence, rude humor and language`

                                   Length: 1:44

                     Release Date: August 1, 2025   

Jeanne: Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf and the rest of the voice cast from THE BAD GUYS (2022) have returned for the sequel THE BAD GUYS 2, based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Aaron Blabey. This time around, The Bad Guys are trying to go straight --- get jobs, lead more normal lives --- but it isn’t working out exactly as planned.

The animal outlaws, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) and Ms. Tarantula, aka “Webs” (Awkwafina), get ensnared in a plot to steal a spaceship and all the gold on Planet Earth. Rival masterminds, The Bad Girls, led by Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks) and her two sidekicks, Pigtail (Maria Bakalova) and Doom (Natasha Lyonne), have cooked up this plot and need the talents of The Bad Guys to pull it off.

In over their heads, Mr. Wolf appeals to Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz) and Police Chief --- now Commissioner --- Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein) to help him and his gang escape the clutches of these female criminals. Diane Foxington believes Mr. Wolf, Commissioner Luggins --- not so much. 

Directed once again by Pierre Perifel and co-directed by JP Sans, THE BAD GUYS 2 is chock full of action and lots of laughs. There are a couple of wild car chase scenes, most notably the one at the beginning of the film during the recap of The Bad Guys’ criminal past. Another spectacular sequence is the meteoric rocket launch sending both The Bad Guys and The Bad Girls into space.

The visual effects and animation are jaw-dropping, especially the afore-mentioned rocket launch. And the screenplay by Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen will keep the kids engaged --- as well as the adults. The voice cast is terrific, with Rockwell taking the lead, and the new additions of Brooks, Lyonne and Bakalova complementing an already stellar ensemble.

By exploring the universal question --- “can people truly change?”, THE BAD GUYS 2 opens up the possibilities of second chances. Children and adults will appreciate Perifel’s attempt to answer that query by utilizing a motley crew of delightful characters who are striving to be better.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!

David: The most amazing bit of information about this sequel to the original THE BAD GUYS (2022) is that THE BAD GUYS 2 was in development five months before the first movie was even in theaters. If you’re a fan of the original, the basic premise in this 2025 sequel is that The Bad Guys, led by Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), are turning over a new leaf to transform themselves into good guys, i.e., productive members of society. And they are challenged at every turn by a group called The Bad Girls.

While adults will be entertained by this frenetic 104 minute sequel, much of its storyline is too sophisticated, especially the fast-paced dialogue, for kids to grasp. Scientific and computer-related references will simply not be understood or appreciated by younger viewers.

Returnees in the voice cast, along with Rockwell, are Marc Maron as Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson as Mr. Shark, Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha, Awkwafina as Ms. Tarantula, Zazie Beetz as Governor Diane Foxington, Richard Ayoade as Professor Marmalade and Alex Borstein as Police Commissioner Misty Luggins. One note: fans of TV’s current streaming golf series STICK should know that Maron plays Mitts in that show.

New cast members include Danielle Brooks as Kitty Kat,

Maria Bakalova as Pigtail, the always hilarious Natasha Lyonne --- as Doom (hence The Bad Girls), plus Colin Jost as Mr. Moon. Both this sequel and the first film are based on the popular book series by Aaron Blabey. Returning to direct is Pierre Perifel and writer Yoni Brenner joins returnee Etan Cohen to provide the screenplay.

The pedigree in this sequel is impressive. Many in the cast and crew are past winners or nominees for Oscars, Emmys and Bafta awards. The animation from DreamWorks Animation is truly spectacular, the rocket ship launch being a prime example. All the character drawings demand our attention as they go through their paces.

Rockwell is again the ultra-suave Mr. Wolf, both in his personality and his apparel. His character exudes the leadership needed for The Bad Guys to succeed in whatever they attempt, good or bad.

My favorites are Ms. Tarantula with her cool, calm and collected style, courtesy of Awkwafina, and Commissioner Luggins, who is constantly correcting Mr. Wolf because he insists on calling her Chief, not recognizing her promotion. The new actors forming The Bad Girls are equally effective in their voice roles. Brooks as Kitty Kat, especially, is a criminal mind to be reckoned with.

THE BAD GUYS 2 is a highly ambitious effort that should make it a classic. And based on the ending it looks like there will be a third installment.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!