Movie Review: The Bad Guys (Universal Pictures)

Sam Rockwell and Marc Maron lead the cast in this new animated caper film, that shows being bad sometimes is really good!

Based on author Aaron Blabey’s popular kid’s graphic novel series, the Bad Guys, this film centers around the city’s most notorious pack of thieves. Made up of some of the world’s greatest predators: Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, Mr. Piranah, and Ms. Tarantuala. For this gang, no crime is too small. During their latest caper, Wolf ends up helping an old lady and realizes it feels a little nice to be good. This causes the entire caper to go wrong and they end up being captured by the police. With some quick thinking, Wolf suggests that they learn to be good. But is Wolf really earnest in being good, or is it just another scam?

I am a huge fan of the book series. My 9-year-old introduced it to me and we read it together, This adaptation, while somewhat different, was a lot of fun as well. The entire book series is kind of a homage to Quentin Tarantino, and the film does as well. That’s the type of joke that goes over a kid’s head but the adults get it. I really think that’s the makings of a good family film. Jokes for every age. 

Director Pierre Perifel does a really great job in his feature directorial debut, There are so many elements that he brings together, that make this film funny, exciting, emotional, and action-packed. The car chase scenes here are just as good as you would see in the Fast and the Furious franchise. Quite amazing when it comes to the animation. 

The film is driven by Etan Cohen’s screenplay. The script has the right amount of balance, has great pacing, and has some very witty dialogue. 

And speaking of the animation, Perifel went for a style that was like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The main bodies look very computer-animated, while the faces look old-school Tex Avery cartoon style. This way the character’s expressions are exaggerated. 

The cast is top-notch too. Sam Rockwell as Wolf, Marc Maron as Snake, Anthony Ramos as Piranha, Craig Robinson as Shark, Awkwafina as Tarantula, Richard Ayoade as Prof. Rupert Marmalade IV, Zazie Beetz as Diane Foxington, and Alex Borstein as the chief of police. It’s Sam Rockwell that really stands out for me. He’s known for playing these shady, fast-talking characters and he just knocks it out of the park again. 

Most importantly, let’s see what my son Sean thought of the movie:

https://youtube.com/shorts/E5ZrAcVpbeM?feature=share

Bottom line this is a fun, silly, and all-around enjoyable movie for all ages. I highly recommend it. And seeing how action-packed this is, you definitely need to see it on the big screen.

The Bad Guys is rated PG and is now in theaters everywhere.