⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Rated PG | 104 minutes

The gang is back, and this time they’ve gone full Hollywood heist.

The Bad Guys 2, DreamWorks’ follow-up to its slick 2022 caper, wastes zero time diving back into chaos. Our favorite reformed criminals, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha are now sort-of good guys… depending on who’s asking. But just because they’ve ditched a life of crime doesn’t mean the world has stopped spinning in the opposite direction.

The sequel picks up with the crew trying to stay on the straight and narrow while juggling fame, mistrust, and a city that still isn’t sure what to make of them. But of course, it’s not long before a new threat forces them back into action. Cue the gadgets, disguises, car chases, and double-crosses. This isn’t Ocean’s Eleven with animals. It’s more like Fast & Furious with fur, and I mean that in the best way.

Visually, The Bad Guys 2 is sharper than its predecessor. The stylized animation still pops, with more texture, grit, and “bad guy” lighting. The action is kinetic and polished, the kind of stuff you’d expect from a big summer blockbuster. DreamWorks knows this franchise is a hit and isn’t holding back.

What keeps it grounded is the cast. Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos once again bring real personality to their characters. You care about these animals. You root for them even when they’re not entirely sure if they’re rooting for themselves.

The film also introduces some fresh faces, including a new villain who’s slick, stylish, and oh-so-smooth. The plot isn’t exactly unpredictable, but it knows what kind of movie it is and has fun with it (for instance… the name of the plot device had our theater cackling). Think fast-paced fun for kids with enough sly jokes and genre nods to keep grown-ups interested too.

If you loved the original, you’ll have a blast with this one. It’s a sequel that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just puts rocket boosters on it and crashes through a museum window.