The Bad Guys Story:-
I’m not exactly an aficionado when it comes to animated films. For some reason, they’ve never quite captivated me like they do millions of other movie buffs. Sure, there have been a few exceptions (“The Illusionist”, “The Lego Movie”, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, “Ratatouille”), but I’ve never quite shared the same level of excitement as others do when a new animated blockbuster is announced. It’s a bit envy-inducing, to be honest.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 20 May 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Adventure, Animation, Comedy |
| Cast | Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Lilly Singh, Alex Borstein |
| Director | Pierre Perifel |
| Writer | Etan Cohen, Hilary Winston |
| Music | Daniel Pemberton |
| Producer | Damon Ross, Rebecca Huntley |
| Production | DreamWorks Animation |
| Certificate | 7+ |
However, there was something about the trailer for Dreamworks Animation’s recent release, “The Bad Guys”, that intrigued me. It wasn’t enough to draw me to the theaters, but it was certainly compelling enough to give it a watch on Peacock, where it’s currently available for streaming. Directed by Pierre Perifel and written by Etan Cohen, “The Bad Guys” boasted an intriguing premise, drawing inspiration from films like “Ocean’s Eleven”, “Reservoir Dogs”, and “Pulp Fiction”. And then there’s the stellar cast: Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Zazie Beetz, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, and more.
Loosely based on Aaron Blabey’s children’s book series, “The Bad Guys” follows a gang of anthropomorphic animal criminals. We have the smooth-talking leader, Mr. Wolf (Rockwell); his cranky best friend and the gang’s safecracker, Mr. Snake (Maron); the hacker extraordinaire, Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina); the master of disguise, Mr. Shark (Robinson); and the loose cannon, Mr. Piranha (Ramos).
Despite the relentless pursuit of Police Chief Misty Luggins (Alex Borstein), they’ve always managed to evade capture by playing it smart and never making things personal. However, when Governor Foxington (Beetz) publicly denounces them, Mr. Wolf decides to undertake a heist to prove their worth and solidify their legacy.
Their target is no small feat – they aim to steal the coveted “Golden Dolphin” trophy during a gala event where it’s to be presented to Professor Rupert Marmalade IV (Richard Ayoade), a respected guinea pig philanthropist. However, their plans hit a snag when Mr. Wolf experiences an unexpected change of heart, leading to a series of mishaps that jeopardize their mission and force Mr. Wolf to reconsider their “bad guy” status.
While the film has its moments, largely thanks to the characters and stellar voice acting, it doesn’t quite break new ground, and the humor didn’t hit the mark as consistently as I had hoped. Nevertheless, there’s a palpable chemistry among the characters that makes them enjoyable to watch, and the animation style is both inspired and visually appealing.
Unfortunately, “The Bad Guys” falls into the trap of relying on tired gags, such as fart jokes and butt jokes, which are recycled a bit too often. Additionally, the chaotic and over-the-top finale left me feeling somewhat disconnected. Despite these drawbacks, there’s still plenty to appreciate, especially if you’re a fan of the typical Hollywood animated film formula. “The Bad Guys” is currently available for streaming on Peacock.
