The Bad Guys 2 is a perfectly serviceable sequel that takes what worked in the first movie and makes it a slightly slicker. It’s definitely more polished and confident than the 2022 original, but this ambitious second instalment sticks so closely to the same old formula that it feels more like a competent update than something fresh and new.
The film starts out with some ambition, though. There’s a cool car chase in Cairo, that shows off Mr Wolf’s (Sam Rockwell) criminal skills. This flashback makes you think you’re going to get a deeper story. But then we jump back to the present, and the gang—Wolf, Snake, Shark, Piranha, and Tarantula—are trying to be good, and it’s a little awkward. Their clumsy journey toward respectability is actually the best part of the film, as it explores what it means to change and chose to do good over evil.
Unfortunately, this good idea quickly gets pushed aside by a convoluted, by-the-numbers plot. A scheming snow leopard frames the crew for a series of heists involving a silly-sounding item called “MacGuffinite” – see what they did there? The story that follows is undeniably full of energy, but has very few real surprises, as it mostly relies on frenetic action and visual gags to keep things moving. In the end it simply gets a bit too tiring.
The returning villain, Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), is a good example of the film’s mixed results. His new prison-hardened look with tattoos is hilariously camp, and Ayoade’s voice work is still a highlight. But his role is basically the same as in the first movie, just rehashing the same themes without adding any new depth.
The animation is vibrant and fluid, with detailed cityscapes and expressive characters. The action sequences are fast-paced and occasionally have a Bourne-like feel to them. While a surprisingly well-executed fart gag earns some chuckles, much of the humour feels safe and aimed squarely at younger viewers—which, to be fair, is the whole point.
The central message about friendship and redemption is sincere and provides some genuinely warm moments. Yet, these emotional beats often feel tired and seem to be included because the genre demands them rather than arising organically from fresh character interactions. The film moves faster than the first one, but the relentless pace sometimes sacrifices character development for set pieces. Ultimately, the sequel’s biggest weakness is its lack of innovation; it refines the existing formula but brings little new to the heist-comedy table.
Ultimately, The Bad Guys 2 is a perfectly decent family film. It corrects many of the original’s flaws—better jokes, tighter pacing, and more confident direction—and provides colourful, undemanding fun. It’s just fine, but really nothing to write home about.
