Cards on the table: I was looking forward to this sequel, big-time. Not just because my youngest daughter loved the first one, but because I always enjoy a good heist/caper movie, and The Bad Guys was terrific at being what it was—a wondrously animated riff on the criminals-turned-good trope. Combining a lot of Steven Soderbergh’s signature “cool” from his films like Ocean’s Eleven or Out of Sight and the zany antics of a Merrie Melodies cartoon, The Bad Guys was smashing entertainment. So… color me shocked when I enjoyed The Bad Guys 2 more than the first one.
A sequel that bests the original? Yup. While the titular gang—Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Snake (Marc Maron), Webs (Awkwafina), Shark (Craig Robinson), and Piranha (Anthony Ramos)—have returned, there’s something more assured about them that helps all the punches land solidly. It’s not a confidence issue, nor is it the tentativeness of Wolf’s turn to the good side from the last movie; it’s more that we feel more settled and familiar with them. Possibly because they’re 180° from where they were when we first met them—they’re dead broke.
“PAST DUE” bills are strewn on the floor, they’re cooking out of a single pot for everyone, and Wolf’s car has totally fallen apart. In other words, they have more in common with their audiences now than when they first started, which brings viewers’ empathy levels up a bit. Worst of all, no one’s willing to take a chance on them for employment; after all, they’re notorious thieves, even though they’ve reformed. We hear about recidivism a lot in our society… especially when it’s brought up in news stories about someone who couldn’t get a job and turned back to crime, thus getting arrested again and perpetuating a horrible cycle.
It’s good to see the team back together again, though, financial woes notwithstanding. You can almost see Sam Rockwell lending Wolf his patented wry delivery in the recording booth, along with the grin through which he talks sometimes. Rockwell’s voicing is as smooth and slick as it comes, giving Wolf the dual capabilities of talking his way into or out of anything and being believable—and looking suave in his Jack Foley-esque gray suit and white collared shirt—while he’s doing so. But he can’t seem to talk his way into legitimate work, and neither can the rest of The Bad Guys. So, when the Phantom Bandit, a.k.a. Kitty (Danielle Brooks), comes to town with mayhem in mind, The Bad Guys see an opportunity to help their nemesis, Commissioner Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein), stop this newcomer and, hopefully, get their names out of the gutter.
Welp, they’re about to be dragged back into the gutter, as Kitty has plans for them and her own team, The Bad Girls—including Doom (Natasha Lyonne) and Pigtail (Maria Bakalova)—all of whom plan on stepping into the void left by The Bad Guys’ retirement from thievery. But to pull this next heist off, Kitty needs The Bad Guys’ skills and sheer numbers, as this new job involves multiple scams and a billionaire’s rocket company, MOON-X (does that last one sound familiar?). It’s interesting to see how this film handles its social commentary, particularly from the perspective of those on the fringe. If those in power were hammers, The Bad Guys and The Bad Girls would be the nails needing a good smacking, and when desperation turns to action, it’s not usually in our anti-heroes’ favor.
Necessity more than want drives The Bad Guys’ involvement, especially after it’s revealed that Kitty might know a whole lot more about Governor Diane Foxington’s (Zazie Beetz) cat burglar identity. Through Wolf’s feelings for Diane (it’s mutual, but they’re hesitant to push past friendship) and his need to protect her secret, The Bad Guys are coerced into joining The Bad Girls, which is where the movie shines, kicking into a new gear as new voices are added to the mix. Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen’s script is suffused with the type of banter and interplay Howard Hawks employed to make his films pop, and the cast is more than capable of peppering us with the sparks and flash required. Every actor is an absolute delight to hear, turning The Bad Guys 2into a fun showcase of their diverse talents.
How can I describe how much I adored listening to everyone in this movie? From adorable to threatening, cute to harsh, friendly to villainous, and every other shade in between, the entire cast is perfection. Co-directors Pierre Perifel (returning from the original) and JP Sans have chosen these actors wisely for the wonderful colors they impart to their voicings, not for their star power. While they do carry weight with their names alone, not one of them is given deference above others; this is an ensemble built for a single purpose, and that’s to tell the story with the characteristics they bring, not with their clout. Not having to lean on more obvious choices is what gifts both The Bad Guys and The Bad Guys 2 authenticity, and along with a thrilling plot and a heartwarming story, The Bad Guys 2 makes the most of what it has and becomes one of this year’s surprising standouts.
