The Bad Guys 2 (2025)

There are few films in which you find yourself thinking at the conclusion "that needs a sequel." Nevertheless, we get mountains upon mountains of them, and when you think about it, how many have you actually thought, yeah a sequel to that makes complete sense? (Apart from the monetary benefits of course).

The Bad Guys (2020) however, was a kids' animated feature that I saw at the cinema and immediately thought- I'd happily spend more time with those characters in a sequel. The Bad Guys also made over $250 million worldwide, so a part two was inevitable whether we wanted one or not.

Based on Aaron Blabey's books, the film features a group of animals who are criminals; Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), Ms. Tarantula (another electrifying voice performance from Awkwafina), Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), and Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson). Joining from the first film is Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington who is now the mayor, and Danielle Brooks voices new big bad Kitty Kat.

So, following the first film the bad guys are now good, although we open with a rather excellent pre-credits sequence set five years ago, that reminds us that they absolutely used to be bad. Predictably, once we return to the present day, a chain of events are set in place that lead them to be framed for a bunch of robberies; and Mr. Wolf has to use his substantial charm to acquire help from Diane as well as persuading Commissioner Luggins (Alex Borstein) that they are in fact, being set up.

What you think you're going to get from The Bad Guys 2 is exactly what you receive. Of course it lacks the surprise factor and originality of the first one, and perhaps lacks ideas at certain stages, but for the most part this is a solid film; and one that invites a third chapter in a post credits sequence. Whether we want or need another one is up for debate, but the characters are very likeable and you're more than happy to spend ninety odd minutes in their presence- but not necessarily one hour forty five, which this one eventually runs to.

However, the final fifteen minutes of The Bad Guys 2, ironically is it's finest portion, as our heroes board a space shuttle in pursuit of Kitty Kat and her subordinates. It openly invokes Moonraker (1979) and provides a surprisingly well put together ending to a film that had just slightly started to outstay its welcome.

All in all, The Bad Guys 2 explains its own existence rather well, and has more than enough in it to prove a hit with kids and adults alike. It's not as good as the first one but it's also hard to imagine what a sequel that does better its predecessor would have looked like, realistically. Job done- even if it's hard to to praise or fault with any sort of fervor. The Bad Guys 2 is solid, and that's all it needed to be. 6.9/10