PLOT: A group of bad animals, including a wolf, a shark, a tarantula, a piranha, and a snake attempt to prove that they can be good guys. However, the question is, will they truly be able to change their ways?
REVIEW: Dreamworks Animation has a new hero in town. Well, more like a bunch of villainous baddies. The Bad Guys places focus on smooth criminal Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) and his cronies. The gang includes Snake (Marc Maron), Tarantula (Awkwafina), Shark (Craig Robinson), and Piranha (Anthony Ramos). The Pierre Perifel directed feature is a mix of humor and action, with a message about judging on merit and not appearance. Laughs? A few. Fun? At times. The Bad Guys bring something new for families looking for a proper movie selection that will be viable for everyone. Something that is not a sequel.
Wolf is an expert thief. The company he keeps includes a hacker tarantula, a crazy piranha, a slick snake, and a shark, one that is a master of disguise. The team is ready to grab something precious. It’s a very prestigious – and expensive – trophy that is about to be presented to do-gooder Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade). Yet right on their tails is the tough-talking Police Chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein) and the no-nonsense Governor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz). However, when caught, they discover that the good governor is not who they expected. And soon, the bad guys are working with the one person who can apprehend a secret criminal trying to outsmart The Bad Guys. That’s about it.
This animated flick is an enjoyable time on occasion. The Dreamworks Animated feature offers everything you’d expect, which is not always positive. You’ve got over-the-top animal characters, a fart joke that won’t die, and a little bit of sweetness to air it all out. It’s a fine film. Considering most of us have enjoyed many a crime drama, it’s slightly entertaining to see that type of story brought to a child-friendly feature film. And while it may be very predictable, the target audience isn’t going to mind. Yet, aside from the very young, it’s not hard to figure out exactly where this adventure is heading. That’s not to say it doesn’t work, as there are moments of cheer spread throughout.
One of the most successful elements of The Bad Guys is the cast. Rockwell is always solid, and he makes for a charismatic cad here. As well, he shares impressive magic with his co-star Zazie Beetz. It’s terrific to see the actress take on a leading role after her inspired work in Deadpool 2, Atlanta, and Joker. The team is also quite good here. Awkwafina has a few great moments, Robinson is well cast, Ramos has some fun, and Maron brings slithering swellness to the snake. It’s even terrific to see some supporting players like Alex Borstein and the great Richard Ayoade. The one thing that always works here is the impressive vocal talent that makes up the cast.
When it comes to the animation itself, there are certainly inspired moments. The look of the film generally works, although the strange simplicity of the eyes of each character is strangely lifeless. It’s a well-directed, sometimes engaging, slightly too-long animated movie that will please younger viewers. It reveals a fun “Los Angeles” setting, and a few of the sequences are rather inventive. Several of the images are rather eye-popping in how they colorfully create this world. The visuals are more than enough to keep young eyes glued to the screen, and the actors manage to perhaps keep older audiences from fading out.
The Bad Guys can be occasionally fun, and it features an inspired cast to bring this world of crime to animation. Sam Rockwell and Zazie Beetz work well together, while Marc Maron and Richard Ayoade add comedic flair. While you can’t fault an animated children’s flick for being overly predictable, the script didn’t take any interesting side roads. From the moment it begins, it’s never hard to figure out exactly where it’s going. There’s something to be said for light and unassuming big-screen animated adventures for some. While it may not be as refreshingly original as the idea may suggest, The Bad Guys is a decent time. You can’t deny the talent involved. There is also enough humor – and occasional heart – to find some charm in the experience.
Follow the JOBLO MOVIE NETWORK
Follow us on YOUTUBE
Follow ARROW IN THE HEAD
Follow AITH on YOUTUBE