The Bad Guys (2022)

Dreamworks latest is one that implements an interesting style of animation that seems to offer a different type in close up and more of a 2D style in the background of shots. It’s best seen for yourself, and I would recommend The Good Guys, it’s one of the most inventive animations I’ve seen in a while. Following the exploits of a team of criminals who have succeeded in seemingly every heist under the sun, Mr. Wolf (the leader of the pack), Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula are eventually captured and opt for an opportunity to ‘turn good’, to avoid prison time. They are aided in this quest by Professor Marmalade (voiced by Richard Ayoade), a pompous guinea pig who seems far too insistent on giving this rag tag bunch another chance. It doesn’t hit the heights of Zootropolis (2016), but a film that invokes Pulp Fiction in its opening scene and continues to hold the adults attention throughout is to be applauded. There are also terrific voice performances from Sam Rockwell and Awkwafina (who has already displayed her prowess in this form with last years Raya And The Last Dragon) and although it does extend slightly longer than it needs to this is a sharp, well-scripted and thoroughly enjoyable affair. 7.2/10