The Bad Guys 2 is the new sequel from DreamWorks that premiered wide this past weekend. Directed by Pierre Perifel, the film stars Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz, Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, Maria Bakalova, Alex Borstein, Richard Ayoade, and Lilly Singh. The now-reformed Bad Guys are trying (very, very hard) to be good, but instead find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls.

I believe I saw the first movie back in 2022 when it first premiered on Peacock. I remember really enjoying it, but I didn’t feel the need for a sequel. Too be honest, I didn’t even feel the need to rewatch the first one before this. With all the great reviews the sequel was getting, I decided to rewatch the first one and it surprisingly holds up. Also, to my surprise, the sequel exceeded my expectations. This is a franchise I can get behind going forward.

When it comes to animated movies like this, it’s easy write it off as something only made for kids. The first one immediately makes a counterpoint to that. The material makes it suitable for kids, but it’s really geared towards adults and kids alike. The sequel maintains a pretty good quality throughout with humor that feels like its geared more towards kids than the first one. The third act, however, delivers a surprising sequence that may just be one of my favorite animated sequences of the decade.

The film has a similar set up compared to the first. We go back in time to see the characters during a heist where it actually adds value. I am not crazy about flashbacks, especially in a sequel. Here, it serves a purpose. We learn more about who these characters are, how it shapes their mindset, and it even sets up a great surprise halfway through the movie. From there, the film continues off from where the first one ends. The Bad Guys are trying to find jobs that help them fit into the world as good people. It’s a great representation of how people may still be viewed as bad people, no matter how good they try to be.

The animation continues to be a standout aspect from these people. The comic book style reminds me of the Sly Bandicoot video games series, especially when the film leans more into it than the first. Once again, the cast delivers with a few new great voices to add to the list. I am glad that everyone returns as each voice identifies with each character. It’s a stretch, but if there ever was a live-action movie of this, I can easily see the same actors playing these roles. The soundtrack and score also fit perfectly with each scene it accompanies. Everything that made the first one great continues that trend here. You can tell where director Pierre Perifel has love for the material here.

What doesn’t quite work as well here is the humor. I didn’t find myself laughing as much as the first one nor did I feel like it fits as well for adults and kids alike. There are some chuckles here and there, but it does seem like this one is trying to win over the kids more. Between an $80 million budget and the modest return so far, it does make me nervous about the future of the franchise. I am getting the impression that not many people are seeing it. There are a lot of movies in theaters right now, especially great ones, so hopefully this will make more money going forward. I personally think if this is going to attract adults and kids alike, it does need to lean more into the same humor as the first.

With all that being said, the third act is incredible. Just when I thought the movie was pretty good, it immediately turns great with a jaw-dropping, immersive animated sequence. From its visuals to its sound design, I haven’t seen animated movies like this going this hard with a third act. It also feels rare where the third act elevates a movie. It typically feels the other way around. It also ends on a great note that makes me excited for the future of the franchise. More people need to go see it in order to make it happen. I used to be a big fan of Despicable Me. This could be the new one for me as an adult.

As for any other flaws with the film, I do think Professor Marmalade’s presence didn’t feel needed. Again, it’s great to have the cast return; however, Marmalade’s presence either feels like exposition to push the story forward or setup for the next movie. There’s also another storyline in the film that didn’t quite work for me as I thought it was being stretched out. In the end, I am glad the film found a way to give that storyline resolution.

Overall, The Bad Guys 2 is a pleasant surprise. The first two acts maintain a consistent entertaining quality to it while the third act delivers one of the best animated sequences of the decade. The humor may not always land, while the voice talent fully embody the characters they are voicing. This is a franchise that I never thought I would want more from. If there is more to come, I am all for it.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)