'The Bad Guys 2' Review: Bigger, Bolder, but Not Always Better
- Jack Ransom
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By Jack Ransom - July 31, 2025
A Sequel That Struggles to Find Its Footing.
The sequel to 2022’s well received animated outing. The Bad Guys 2 sees the titular crew (Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos & Awkwafina) struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do "one last job" by an all-female squad of criminals (Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova & Natasha Lyonne).
The first Bad Guys was a fun slice of riotous animal escapades that swiftly made bank at the box office (robbing a cool $250 million off a $70-80 million budget) and proved that DreamWorks were about to start killing it with their animation style variety (as Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Wild Robot would soon follow). Whilst it is undeniably bigger and crazier in scale, with a welcome new inclusion of the Bad Girls, it does flounder in the structure department at points and obviously not all the humour landed as much for me as this is very much for a younger audience.
A Slow Start That Finds Its Rhythm
After a riotous flashback opening (genuinely might be the film’s best sequence) showcasing one of the crew’s many successful heists five years prior, we catch up to the gang as they attempt to live a crime-free life and re-integrate back into society. Opening aside, the first act is the weakest part of the film and does certainly feel quite slow due to its familiar attempt at a more character driven drama in a somewhat scattershot approach. Thankfully once the ball gets rolling and the crew get tangled up in the Bad Girls’ MacGuffinite’ quest the pacing picks up and leads to an utterly bonkers (yet welcome) final third. The stakes may be higher, but it does mean other plot aspects get pushed to the wayside.
The unique animation style is once again on fire here. The colours, motion and character designs are all pop and that blend of 2D cartoon wackiness alongside the detailed, slick 3D CGI works gangbusters. The opening chase sequence is an absolute pulse-pounding riot, the Luchador wrestling brawl is comic book-Esque craziness and the finale blowout takes the gang into space with some genuinely eye-popping imagery. The smattering of actual heists is fun, with the watch theft wedding being a standout.
Voice Cast Delivers Despite Script Shortcomings
The returning voice cast delivers just as much enthusiasm and distinction as before. Sam Rockwell’s ice-cool Wolf, Marc Maron’s chilled Snake (who is also now smitten with one of the Bad Girls), Craig Robinson’s panicky Shark, Anthony Ramos’ motormouth Piranha and Awkwafina’s snarky Webs are a fun crew. Danielle Brooks’ menacing Kitty Kat is a big presence, Maria Bakalova’s excitable Pigtail and Natasha Lyonne’s sly, dry swagger as Doom are welcome additions. Zazzi Beetz, Alex Borstein and Richard Ayoade also return and deliver as expected.
The Verdict: Fun but Flawed
The Bad Guys 2 is a fun, crazy and easy viewing that a younger audience certainly should enjoy. The animation style pops: the action sequences are a blast and the characters stand out. However, it does feel quite overblown and overstuffed at points, the heists take the back foot and the pacing issues in the first act are noticeable. I will be seated for the inevitable third entry.
'The Bad Guys 2' is out now in UK cinemas
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