The Bad Guys 2: Still Slick, Still Criminal...Still Trying to Be Good?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
IGN South Africa reckons *The Bad Guys 2* is a slick upgrade, but a predictable plot and underdeveloped new characters hold it back from true greatness. Still, explosions and talking animals, mate. What's not to like?
Right, so *The Bad Guys 2* is out, and IGN South Africa reckons it's a decent upgrade on the original. Fair enough, it’s got more of that slick action and comedy we all enjoyed the first time around. They're saying it's like taking the original’s winning formula and cranking it up to eleven. Bigger set pieces, more moving parts, and the animation team's clearly been having a bloody good time.
Even the dodgy bits from the first flick – that occasionally corny humour – has had a bit of a polish. Apparently, the gags are less obvious, but not so niche that you'd need a decoder ring to understand them. It’s a delicate balance, that.
But here's the rub: IGN reckons the plot's still a bit predictable. Now, a predictable plot ain't necessarily a crime, especially when it’s underpinned by some surprisingly deep themes (more on that later). But it stops *The Bad Guys 2* from reaching its full potential, or so they say. Personally, I’m always a bit skeptical when folks bang on about “potential.” It's like saying a goblin mage *could* be a world-class chef if only they applied themselves. Maybe. But probably not.
The film kicks off with some interesting ideas, mind you. The Bad Guys, out of jail and trying to go straight, are struggling to fit back into society. Wolf's applying for a job at the bank he robbed multiple times? Solid gold comedy. But it speaks to something real: the obstacles people face after getting out of the clink. The lack of a safety net. The lure of a life of crime. It's surprisingly mature stuff for a talking-animal movie, this whole recidivism thing. They even weave it into a plot about stealing an experimental rocket! I mean, come on, who *doesn't* want to see that?
However, the resolution's a bit… vanilla. Work harder, earn respect. Sound familiar? It's the kind of message you get blasted at you while leveling up through society. Less satisfying than a critical hit with a freshly forged weapon, I reckon.
What *is* satisfying, though, is the action. The opening sequence, for example, tells the origin story of The Bad Guys' getaway car in a thrilling chase scene. Sharp editing, great heaps of wreckage, physics-defying jumps. It's controlled chaos, and every action scene that follows is just as intoxicating. There's a brawl at a wrestling show, which is a cracking backdrop for the gang's attempts at heroism. Attempts that are, of course, thwarted by a new crew of thieves led by Pigtail, who are looking to exploit The Bad Guys'… well, badness.
Pigtail and her pals add to the film's eclectic brand of action, but IGN reckons their personalities don't quite pop in the same way as the original cast. Pigtail and Doom don't have enough to do, and Kitty Cat's dialogue is a bit bland, apparently. A shame, really.
Now, visually, *The Bad Guys 2* sticks with that blend of 3D animation and 2D effects that made the first movie so distinctive. It's like they found a potent enchantment for the eyes and decided to stick with it! That layering of 2D lines on top of CG characters gives them depth and allows for more intense expressions. Plus, the 2D fire, smoke, and other effects look far more appealing than if they were all 3D. When The Bad Guys peel out in their car and a cloud of scribbles and sketches burst from the exhaust pipe? *That's* the good stuff. There are subtle changes to the art style, but they're few and far between.
So, there you have it. *The Bad Guys 2* ramps up what was great about the first movie: the action, the animation, the heist-movie magic. But it also tries to tackle a more mature story and message, without fully committing. And while the new characters are fun, they don't quite reach the heights of the original gang. Still, if you enjoyed the first movie, this one's probably worth a watch. Just don't expect it to reinvent the wheel... or, you know, the getaway car. IGN South Africa's full review is worth a read if you want more detail.
Tags: animation, movie review, comedy, action, dreamworks
Original article: IGN South Africa