The Bad Guys is an animated movie that has a lot of humor, energy and heart even if it follows a predictable and derivative script. Where it may lack in any real surprises, it makes up for with a voice talent that carries it through for 100 minutes.
The movie takes place in a world where humans and animals coexist. A ragtag team of anthropomorphic critters known as the Bad Guys wreaks havoc on the city by stealing. They’re led by Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell). Mr. Wolf’s cohorts include Mr. Snake (Marc Meron), a safecracker; Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), a computer hacker; Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), a master of disguise; and Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos) who has a short fuse.
Together they team up on heists and at the beginning, they’re planning to steal the Good Samaritan Award that’s expected to be given to Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), a guinea pig who helped save the city from a meteor.
The Bad Guys almost get away with their crime and are about to be sent to prison when Marmalade is persuaded by Mr. Wolf to help reform their wicked ways.
Zazie Beetz from Deadpool 2 and Joker costars as Governor Foxington who has some real doubts about their rehabilitation, but she reluctantly agrees.
Marmalade’s attempts prove to be unsuccessful, but Mr. Wolf starts turning on his own after he saves the life of a woman from falling down a flight of steps. This gives Marmalade the idea of using the Bad Guys’ talents to reinvent their image.
Each part of their plan serves as a homage to other movies. We get spoofs of everything from Pulp Fiction, Mission: Impossible, Fast & Furious and the Ocean’s movies. The pop-culture references miss just about as much as they hit.
There’s nothing fresh or original about The Bad Guys. We can see the plot twist a mile away and the movie is obviously setting itself up for an inevitable sequel, but the talents of Rockwell, Maron, Awkwafina, and others lend real charm and charisma to their roles.
I did like how the characters are each given enough screen time to allow their personalities to take front and center and the actors are certainly having a great time with the material.
I think perhaps the mechanics of predictability prevented this from being a memorable animated movie. As it is, it’s just entertaining enough for kids, and adults might find it a moderate diversion.
Grade: B+
(Rated PG for action and rude humor.)
