The Bad Guys 2 opens with a flashback set five years prior in Cairo, Egypt, showing how Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) obtained his signature black car. In the present day, following the events of the first film, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and Ms. Tarantula/Webs (Awkwafina) are struggling to find employment after attempting to reform. Rumors circulate that they’ve reverted to their criminal ways due to a new thief known as the Phantom Bandit, who seems determined to frame them for various crimes. Meanwhile, Mr. Snake (Marc Maron) appears unusually content and is largely absent. Mr. Wolf and his crew are drawn into one final job by Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), a snow leopard, along with her team: Pigtail (Maria Bakalova), a Bulgarian wild boar engineer, and Doom (Natasha Lyonne), a sarcastic raven. This new group of female criminals possesses compromising information about Mayor Diane Foxington (Zazie Beetz), prompting Wolf to prioritize her safety, even if it means risking imprisonment once more. While the original Bad Guys featured impressive animation and a strong voice cast, its plot felt predictable, regardless of familiarity with the source material. The chemistry between the actors helped elevate the film, though the humor was somewhat lacking. The animation style, a striking blend of 2D and 3D techniques, bore similarities to Puss in Boots: The Last Wish but possessed a distinct visual identity. The Bad Guys 2 expands upon nearly every element introduced in the first film. While maintaining the same animation style, it ventures into new territories; even a simple car chase feels more elaborate. The opening sequence in Cairo (which marks Webs’s debut job) showcases a thrilling pursuit involving The Bad Guys and what appears to be the entire Cairo police force, incorporating stunts like driving on walls, releasing caged chickens, navigating a roundabout in reverse, and forcing the police to commandeer motorcycles after their vehicles are destroyed. The animated heist comedy sequel also features memorable scenes set within a lucha libre wrestling ring and culminates in a journey into space. The lucha libre setting provides opportunities for dramatic lighting effects alongside bouncing low-riders and dynamic character introductions. The space sequence allows for a suspension of typical physics, introducing anti-gravity elements. Mr. Piranha’s nervous flatulence is exaggerated to comedic extremes reminiscent of Rocketman (the 1997 film), proving quite amusing. The scene where Mr. Wolf and his companions leap onto the MoonX rocket after its launch evokes moments from the Mission: Impossible franchise. The sequence unfolds at a rapid pace, requiring the gang to quickly adapt and utilize their animal abilities as sections of the rocket detach and fall into the atmosphere; it also highlights inventive camera work. The humor in this installment feels more mature, particularly concerning Mr. Snake’s new relationship with his girlfriend, Susan. A kiss between them involves an unsettling attempt at swallowing her head whole. Additionally, a lock-picking sequence includes suggestive double entendres delivered by Mr. Snake. In the present day, Mr. Wolf drives a dilapidated hatchback car (resembling a Toyota Tercel) that is barely functional. The gang's financial struggles are evident through constant eviction notices and overdue bills. While parking before a job interview, another driver insults him with the term "jackass," which feels somewhat out of place in a film aimed at families, given the presence of donkeys within this anthropomorphic world. A disappointing aspect is the need for The Bad Guys to repeatedly prove their innocence. Having already exposed Professor Marmalade’s schemes, having to do so again feels repetitive. While the sequel adequately explains how public perception could portray them as villains once more, it's frustrating how quickly they lose the public’s trust. The Bad Guys 2 is bigger, bolder, and funnier than its predecessor. The gags are inventive and humorous, the jokes elicit laughter, and the new characters prove just as engaging as those already established. Unique settings allow for some of the most visually striking and animated sequences seen this year, and embracing a life of good deeds has never felt so rewarding or entertaining.

Source on TMDB