The Bad Guys doesn’t feel like any other DreamWorks Animation picture from the start. The opening sequence of The Bad Guys, a Pulp Fiction tribute focused around Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) and Mr. Snake (voiced by Marc Maron), two members of a criminal group known as the “Bad Guys,” is the longest one-shot take ever in a DreamWorks Animation film. Before setting off to a bank robbery and getaway that would impress even Danny Ocean, these two merely had a conversation about birthdays in a cafe.
The sequence, like the rest of The Bad Guys, does not rely on ridiculous humor or over-the-top jokes, but rather on conversation, character, and the interaction between these two. With a magnificent animation style that feels equally influenced by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Adventures of Tintin, 2010’s The Illusionist, and anime, The Bad Guys is a refreshing animated feature that is by far one of DreamWorks Animation‘s best.
In addition to Mr. Wolf and Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula (voiced by Awkwafina), the squad’s muscle, Mr. Piranha, who was voiced by Anthony Ramos, and the disguise’s master, Mr. Shark, complete up “The Bad Guys” crew (Craig Robinson). The Bad Guys plan their greatest theft yet: snatching The Golden Dolphin, a good Samaritan prize given to Professor Rupert Marmalade IV, the guinea pig humanitarian (voiced by Richard Ayoade).
Mr. Wolf assists an elderly woman during the theft and is praised for his kindness. Mr. Wolf recognizes the advantages of being a “bad guy” for the first time. When the gang is apprehended in the middle of the Golden Dolphin robbery, Mr. Wolf persuades the red fox governor, Diane Foxington (voiced by Zazie Beetz), to allow Professor Marmalade rehabilitate the crew, converting the Bad Guys into the Good Guys. Mr. Wolf is on his way to learning that being good might not be that horrible after all, while playing off this choice as part of a wider scheme.
The Bad Guys is directed by first-time filmmaker Pierre Perifel, who has previously worked in animation on movies such as 2006’s Curious George, The Illusionist, Monsters vs. Aliens, and the Kung Fu Panda series. The Bad Guys is a lovely picture that wears its cinematic loves on its sleeve, with every shot full of energy and enthusiasm. A short tribute to Hergé’s art, or a subtle nod to any number of heist flicks, may appear in the midst of a massive action sequence.
This is also attributable to Etan Cohen’s writing, which embraces the action and heist character of the plot without resorting to the more bombastic and old humor that can become frequent in large-scale animated films (based on Aaron Blabey’s book series of the same name).
The Bad Guys is also superbly performed, with Rockwell and Maron giving particularly strong vocal performances. Rockwell captures the character’s sly demeanor perfectly, while also balancing the good and terrible. Mr. Snake, a cranky safe-cracker who is Mr. Wolf’s greatest buddy and the most resistant to change, is a highlight for Maron. But this entire crew is especially fantastic when we get to watch them in action during one of their numerous events.
The Bad Guys‘ appeal stems from its ability to seem new in a genre when that isn’t often the case. The Bad Guys maintains a magnificent visual style throughout, with a cheerful and lively tone, as well as a great voice cast that puts this very entertaining narrative of camaraderie, self-improvement, and grand robbery to life. Since 2010’s Megamind (another narrative of bad-turned-good), or perhaps Kung Fu Panda, The Bad Guys may be DreamWorks’ finest non-sequel. The Bad Guys combines a great love for heist films to an animated adventure, and in doing so, creates one of the year’s best animated pictures, much like Megamind did for superhero films or Kung Fu Panda did for martial arts films.
In theaters now is The Bad Guys.
