The Bad Guys 2

A lovely film, maybe even better than the first. This movie basically shows quick-paced action scenes most of the time, even the very beginning, and from there it just gets more. Like with the first one, if you want a comedic spin on heist movies, or the craziness that Fast and Furious turned into, this will be a movie for you. Overly complicated heist plans, ridiculous action scenes and absolutely lovable characters, with very short breaks in the actions where you can, for example, follow the "Bad Guys" try to find new jobs with. If you loved them in the first movie, you'll get more of it here. Mostly comedy, there are serious situations and messages about caring for your friends, small twists, and several "WTF that's hilarious" moments, with characters that really care for each other. Also, there's a small scene with a young Webs with braces! How can a spider be so cute?! The antagonist seen in the trailer are all lovely new additions with their own, very distinct personalities. Also, Kitty is basically Tai Lung, so, that's cool. On a tech side, which I can only barely judge really: Everything looks really nice with clean, quick animations and damn did I love the gold particle effects in one scene especially! The facial expression, like in the first movie, are really lovely as well. So, yeah, definitely recommended! By far not as emotional heavy as movies like Coco and Toy Story 3, but hey, it's good for a chance ro just enjoy some happiness instead of wanting to cry in a comedy movie! Go watch it! -- (To add to some of the other reviews on other sites: yes, so many hot characters! Kitty muscles, Diane thighs and Webs cuter than ever. 😁)

The gang of animated outlaws returns for “The Bad Guys 2,” a sequel that ups the ante with its sharper, more character-driven story. This time around, the film leans more toward a stylized crime caper than a mindless kiddie cartoon, resulting in a grittier, slightly darker tone than expected. After spending years being very, very bad, criminals Wolf (voice of Sam Rockwell), Snake (voice of Marc Maron), Tarantula (voice of Awkwafina), Shark (voice of Craig Robinson), and Piranha (voice of Anthony Ramos) are trying to go straight. The group of friends soon learn that it’s not so easy to navigate a world that’s not keen on giving second chances. Despite their best efforts, their new “Good Guy” lives are quickly upended when they’re dragged back into the world of high-stakes heists by a slick all-female crew known as The Bad Girls. What unfolds is a globe-trotting mission full of twists, trust issues, and one very elaborate criminal scheme. Thematically, the film has more on its mind than most animated fare. It explores whether true change is possible and honestly depicts the struggle to shed the labels of your past. There’s a surprising amount of emotional weight beneath all the action and antics, particularly in how the characters grapple with acceptance, identity, and redemption in a society that already has its mind made up about them. The film visually delivers with stylish animation and action scenes that are fluid, fast, and impressively staged. The diverse voice cast is excellent across the board, breathing energy and nuance into the characters without slipping into caricature. These aren’t generic animated archetypes, but characters that are flawed, funny, and fully realized. Of course, the movie does require a healthy suspension of disbelief. This is a world where talking animals and humans coexist without much explanation, and while the film doesn’t bother justifying it, most viewers probably won’t mind. Still, some of the more absurd plot elements (including the villain’s big evil plan and a trip into space on the back of a rocket) will stretch the patience of some kids and most adults. While it’s marketed as a family film, this one definitely skews older. Younger children might find it too long, too talky, or just too dark. There’s a more mature tone here than the first film, making it more of a heist thriller than a forgettable Saturday morning cartoon. With a satisfying ending that sets up potential future installments, “The Bad Guys 2” is a sequel that dares to deepen its characters and themes rather than just replaying the laziest hits (okay, there are a few lowbrow fart jokes, but at least they’re funny and aren’t out of context). The film is stylish, smart, occasionally silly, and a welcome shift away from typical animated fluff. It may not be for all ages, but for fans of animated films that aim a little higher, this is one bad crew worth rooting for. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

A pretty solid sequel compared to the first, which I only found okay. The animation is top-notch, the story is familiar but still a blast, and I loved the fun nods to Mission: Impossible, Lethal Weapon, and even Silence of the Lambs?!? And yes—the fart jokes actually hit. 💨🧑‍🚀