Mr. Wolf is a talented pickpocket and \u201cevasive\u201d driver, who remains the Bad Guys\u2019 ringleader, even now that they are on the straight and narrow. He is also a smooth talker, but somehow, potential employers just won\u2019t give him a chance. Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula, are not having much luck either. Frankly, Mr. Snake hardly seems to be trying, preferring to spend his time romancing his new girlfriend, Susan, a crow.
<\/ins>
Wolf also has a potential love interest, but he and Diane Foxington must play it cool. Foxington currently serves as their state\u2019s governor, but Wolf and the Bad Guys know her secret history. Foxington was the notorious cat burglar (even though she is a fox) dubbed the \u201cCrimson Paw.\u201d
The loyal Wolf will keep her secret no matter what. Unfortunately, that makes the Bad Guys susceptible to the blackmailing \u201cBad Girls.\u201d The trio of talking animal villainesses (led by Kitty Kat, an especially devious snow leopard) have framed the Bad Guys for their recent heists and threaten to reveal Foxington\u2019s secret identity if the Bad Guys refuse to help them pull off a really big score.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a9\u00a0DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\r\n If you like the review of the film, share your thoughts below!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/The-Bad-Guys22.png\")
\u00a9\u00a0DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.
In fact, this caper is so big, it brings to mind the climax of Fast & Furious\u2019s F9<\/a><\/strong>. Likewise, the flashback prologue echoes the over-the-top Dubai scene in Furious 7<\/strong><\/a>. Ironically, the action sequences look slightly more grounded in Bad Guys 2<\/strong>, even though it is meant to be a silly cartoon.
Indeed, much of the humor leans towards the slapstick, which will more likely entertain younger viewers than their parents. Yet, Sam Rockwell invests Mr. Wolf with roguish Eddie Haskell-like charm that older animation fans should appreciate. Rockwell continues to be the lead voice of The Bad Guys, which serves the franchise well.
Wolf\u2019s sheepish courtship of Gov. Foxington also adds an appealing \u201chuman\u201d element. However, the humor involving Shark\u2019s clumsiness and Piranha\u2019s flatulence definitely represent the broad, goofy end of the humor spectrum. (In case you were wondering, piranhas really do fart. Your AI of choice will verify that\u2014and then it will mock you for asking).<\/p>\r\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/The-Bad-guys-24.png\")
<\/p>\r\n
Regardless, Rockwell and Zazie Beetz, who gives voice to Foxington, breathe a lot of life into the film. Akwafina\u2019s reliably droll and caustic tones also perfectly suit Tarantula. Anthony Ramos\u2019s voiceovers for Piranha are surprisingly manic (compared to his recent on-screen work), but they can be a bit too much. The same is true of Craig Robinson\u2019s Mr. Shark, but to a somewhat lesser degree. Regrettably, Marc Maron vocal performance as Snake sounds like a pale wannabe tough guy Sopranos<\/strong> imitation. Again, kids probably will not mind his shtickiness, but it might represent a barrier for adult crossover viewers.
Regardless, Perifel and Sans keep the pacing snappy. Arguably, Wolf\u2019s insuppressible optimism should endear the film to many older viewers, even though it clearly targets more juvenile audiences. That makes logical sense, considering Blabey\u2019s original books were written for ages 6 to 10. Crime does not pay in the Bad Guys<\/strong> films, but it provides a lot of nutty but clean (and thematically unobjectionable) fun. Recommended as upbeat family entertainment, The Bad Guys 2<\/strong> opens this Friday (8\/1) in theaters.
Grade: B-<\/p>\r\n