‘Good is no fun at all’
The Bad Guys is a 2022 action crime comedy from DreamWorks Animation, based on the best-selling Scholastic book series.
Directed by Pierre Perifel (animator on the Kung Fu Panda films), making his feature directing debut, from a screenplay by Etan Cohen and Hilary Winston, adapted from the book series by Aaron Blabey. Produced by Damon Ross (Nacho Libre) and Rebecca Huntley.
Plot:
A crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws are about to attempt their most challenging con yet: become model citizens.
Never have there been five friends as infamous as The Bad Guys: dashing pickpocket Mr Wolf (Sam Rockwell), seen-it-all safecracker Mr Snake (Marc Maron), the chill master-of-disguise Mr Shark (Craig Robinson), short-fused “muscle” Mr Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and the sharp-tongued expert hacker Ms Tarantula (Awkwafina), aka “Webs.”
However, when, after years of countless heists and being the world’s most-wanted villains, the gang is finally caught, Mr Wolf brokers a deal (that he has no intention of keeping) to save them all from prison: The Bad Guys will go good…
Reviews:
“Simply put, a good chunk of the story just doesn’t work for anyone watching. Still, it’s all so light and breezy with the humour and reliably anarchic that none of these issues will make a bit of difference. Parents and older siblings will enjoy the riffing, kids will enjoy the slapstick humour. Yes, The Bad Guys is pilfering from other heist capers, but so what when it’s this much fun?” 3/5 Entertainment.ie
“The Bad Guys was a film that can please all ages. It worked as a family-friendly crime film, a story about friendship, and a wider look at not being defined by stereotypes. It was one of Dreamworks’ most visually and thematic distinct films in a long time.” 4/5 Pop Culture Maniacs
” …there’s a fizzy energy to the action, particularly in the helter-skelter chase scenes, that stops those flaws bursting its bubble. And the cartoony animation style is pretty cool, elevating it above CG fare like Despicable Me et al. Smug Professor Marmalade is right after all: there is some good in these bad guys.” Time Out
” …lack of novelty makes the story overly predictable and unmemorable. However, The Bad Guys is still a fun and cheerful adventure with its heart in the right place. It has plenty of positive lessons to offer about the bonds of friendship and what a big difference it makes to be kind. Little ones will doubtless find the action sequences exciting and the animation captivating, and there is a good deal of humour to keep them thoroughly entertained.” 3/5 The Upcoming
Release:
In the USA, Universal Pictures will release The Bad Guys theatrically on April 22nd 2022. In the UK, it will be “in cinemas soon.”
Trailer 1:
Trailer 2 with critic’s quotes:
Spotted leaving a heist clip:
The Chief chases the bad guy clip:
Featurette:
Become the Good Guys:
